Vista install DVD not recognized

[MarcD]

The disc can be read by a similar model machine. Mine can both read and boot
from an XP install disc, but the Vista DVD isn't seen at all (not within XP
nor on bootup). There are no firmware updates for the motherboard or drive
which are more recent than what's already installed.

 

[JerryM]

Go into your BIOS and set the CD drive to boot first, ahead of the hard
drive.

 

[PaulB]

You do have a DVD drive, correct? What model?

 

[MarcD]

HP DVD Writer 200j

You do have a DVD drive, correct? What model?

 

[MarcD]

It already is; and even with the DVD (not CD) drive set as the only boot
device; the disk is still not recognized.

 

[Not Me]

XP installs from a CD, Vista installs from a DVD.
CD & DVD use different heads to read the media.
It is quite possible the DVD read head is dirty or damaged in that drive.
Try a cleaner, if that fails, you may need a new drive.

 

[MarcD]

Not quite accurate. I have the Compaq Windows Recovery burned to a couple of
DVDs; and can boot from disc 1 of that set. Anyway, I've alread run a head
cleaner in the DVD drive and it makes no difference.

 

[Cari \(MS-MVP\)]

DVD burners are cheap. Replace it. Much quicker than trying to work out
what exactly is wrong with the drive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=&Subcategory=5&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=

Just make sure the Vista DVD is clean and not scratched or covered with
fingerprints first!

 

[MarcD]

I'm hardly going to through away more money to replace a drive in perfect
condition just because there's one disc in the universe it doesn't recognize.
I've already spent $140 for Vista plus $59 for MS tech support (which hasn't
even responded more than 48 hours after the problem was reported). At this
point I would trash the $199 Vista coaster and stick with XP before I'd spend
another cent.

As for the DVD...it's pristine.

 

[Not Me]

Can you boot from the DVD in another machine?
It is possible that you have a bad DVD or a bad writer.
If the DVD is self-burned, it may be in a format that deck doesn't support.

 

[MarcD]

Yes, I booted another Compaq Presario with that DVD. This isn't a burned or
copied DVD; it's Genuine MS Green Label Holographic.

I can read, write, boot any other CD or DVD in my drive. And it passes
hardware diagnostics in PC-Doctor 5 which comes pre-installed on the
Presario. It's true that my machine has an AMD Sempron and most OEM discs are
burned on Intel machines with SysPrep; but I've never heard of that making it
impossible to even recognize that there's a disc in the DVD drive.

When I put the disc in and try to populate the Volume in hardware
Properties, it says the drive is a DVD but all the numbers are zero as if
there's not even a formatted disc in the drive.

 

[Not Me]

Maybe I missed it, but is your system set to use the DVD as the first boot
device?
I have had both bad DVDs and bad drives, it sounds like one or the other.
I would be real tempted to pickup a new DVD drive ($29 at Wal-Mart) and
install it just to be sure.
Even if it turns out to be something else, it doesn't hurt to have 2 DVD
drives in your machine (to make copying faster/easier).

 

[MarcD]

Yeah, it's set as the first boot device in BIOS; then the CD and then the 2
hard drives. I never see the "Press a key to boot from CD or DVD" message; it
just boots XP from the C: drive.

Even setting the DVD as the only boot device doesn't get it to boot from the
DVD; it just gives an error message.

 

[MarcD]

Side note: does everyone really waste money on new hardware instead of
troubleshooting problems? I was going to get the electrical system in my car
diagnosed to find out why an idiot light is on, but I guess it would actually
be easier to just replace the car.

 

[Not Me]

From what you have described, either the DVD or the deck is defective.
Will that drive recognize other DVDs, just not the Vista one?
If so, it may be a bad disk.
If the DVD is tested and recognized in another drive, but not that one, I
would consider that troubleshooting and not feel bad about getting another
deck. BTW: A DVD drive is a little less expensive than a car.

 

[MarcD]

The drive works with all other discs, and that disc was bootable in a similar
computer, so neither is defective.

I'm just waiting for my $59 worth of MS tech support. After four days, all
I've gotten is one email asking me to repeat the same info I provided in the
original inquiry.

 

[Not Me]

Other DVDS? or other CDS?
I have one machine that will only boot with a copy of Vista's DVD, but not
the original, even though the original boots in several other machines.

 

[MarcD]

The drive can read all other DVDs and CDs; and it can boot from all my other
bootable DVDs and CDs.

 

[Not Me]

It sounds like that DVD and drive just don't like each other.
It's rare, but it happens.
Just for kicks, make a copy of the DVD and try it in that drive...

 

[MarcD]

I don't have access to another DVD writer. But I agree it's probably just a
unique compatability problem. If MS won't send me a replacement DVD disc I'll
see if I can order the CDs, which I could even use in my CD writer drive if
it came to that.