So, how many of us who have bought the Aurora R3 within the last 2 years have been left high and dry? Mine was shipped to me October 31, 2011, that is barely over a year!
When I went through this with Microsoft, they were concerned that it might be the raid controller. Intel has an updated driver to the raid controller, but recommend that you get it through your equipment manufacturer - is that going to happen?
When I went through this with Microsoft, they were concerned that it might be the raid controller. Intel has an updated driver to the raid controller, but recommend that you get it through your equipment manufacturer - is that going to happen?
You might have something here.
I am not at liberty to say how I found out, but ... Intel has released new Intel-RST drivers what resolve some problems with Windows-8.
You should be able to get Intel-RST updates from Intel.com because there is nothing special about your Aurora motherboard SATA (no mSata, etc.).
Remember, once you install Intel-RST you can't remove it (only update). If you are building a machine up, Image drive first before installing it Or just skip it ... it's not required ... use the bundled Microsoft HDD driver instead.
That's why a clean install is better (you can choose not to install it). With an OverLay or Upgrade install it stays in place.
So, how many of us who have bought the Aurora R3 within the last 2 years have been left high and dry? Mine was shipped to me October 31, 2011, that is barely over a year!
Its no secret that certain Aurora R3's were always a little temperamental. IIRC, the issues and fixes were:
Sensitive to after market RAM upgrades and certain RAM configs where ALL DIMM sockets weren't filled, or filled with something other than exactly matching DIMM modules. Fix: Use all matching Dell or recommended Crucial DIMMs.
General instability in factory software load. Fix: Clean Win7-64, current chipset drivers and other drivers in proper order. Use Current video drivers. Leave off any special Dell software (Alien Re-Spawn) and Intel-RST.
Be sure it's getting plenty of good power. Use good UPS Battery (like APC).
And I'm going out-on-a-limb here (because I don't actually have an Aurora R3) ... but I have installed Windows 8 on several old machines with no problems.
If Win7-64 worked on machine (machine was working and stable) ... there is really no reason why Win-8 wouldn't run on it. Especially with Desktops ... it's not like there is some special hardware device inside it that needs special drivers or support. These Dell desktops are all fairly generic in that regard. Obviously, laptops are a different story.
Remember, I don't work for Dell ... nor can I speak to Dell's Policies.
Just installed Windows 8 in the Aurora R3, no issues restarting, no hangs or freezes.
As Tesla stated, there is really no reason why Win-8 shouldn't run on it. If you have any issues they're most likely directly related to the OS upgrade process, in this case I'd recommend you contact Microsoft.
Would be nice knowing what version of aurora R 3 as there is no way you have it install with 2011 drivers as we try on 3 R 3 all fail with all different set up configuration.As stated dell always give up updating there older box R 4 last update 2012 none for R 3 I bet when window 9 out R 4 user will have the same problems as R 3 no support from dell with updates
FYI they had over a year to issue update for win 8
thank you for your suggestions this was also tested as intel web site
If you are going to try to install Intel Sandy-Bridge chipset drivers, you should do that first ... before any other drivers (right after Win-8 install completely finishes). However, by now ... these Intel drivers are either on the Win-8 disc or on Windows Update (and will install either automatically or with little effort).
thank you for your suggestions this was also tested as intel web site However this should not be our job to hunt drivers as our computer is a dell and should of be supported by dell My wife was going to buy an alienware laptop told her not too so she purchase a mac instead
I'm in basically the same situation as you. I've tried everything except wipe my HDD, and I'm really hesitant to try it and end up with no OS if it doesn't work. Could Mr. Pardo give us any information on the R3 he used? Maybe that can help clear this up. I just can't believe it's a software issue, as Win 8 installed perfectly on my other computer.
Just installed Windows 8 in the Aurora R3, no issues restarting, no hangs or freezes.
As Tesla stated, there is really no reason why Win-8 shouldn't run on it. If you have any issues they're most likely directly related to the OS upgrade process, in this case I'd recommend you contact Microsoft.
How can you possibly blame this on Microsoft if so many people here have the same symptoms... even AFTER completely deleting all the partitions on their hard drives and starting from scratch?
I have the most recent A06 BIOS, also tried changing the CPU Configuration settings and boot settings in the BIOS as recommended in previous posts by board memebers/Dell. Completely deleted all partitions, created a new partition, and booted the MS installation off of a USB key. All video card drivers updated for Win 8, etc. I consider myself to be somewhat computer savvy... average joe customers are simply not going to be able to do all of this to get the OS running.
You guys need to get your act together and start doing some testing on your own systems...as consumers, we cannot be expected to guess what the problem is and figure it out for ourselves. Computers... ESPECIALLY retail packaged computers... are supposed to simply work and be designed for the less tech savvy. Test it... fix it.
I dropped nearly 3 grand on this computer less than a year ago... if this is the kind of support we get, I will never buy another Dell again.
I do not beleive Dell/Alienware can post this kind of message. Allmost all Aurora R3 owners do have serious problems installing Windows 8.
This is a Dell problem, not Microsoft. My Aurora cost me, in march 2011, US 3,500.00. What Dell shoud do is to fix the problems on Aurora R3 Bios and stop posting messages like that.
What I want is a post telling us how to fix the problems.
This is truly bizarre but I was able to resolve this problem. I have an Aurora R3 that was hanging on the Windows 8 loading screen. I was getting around this problem by continually pressing F8 -- it was the only way to get it to boot, but it was a temporary solution. I kept digging for an answer and this forum helped. I went into BIOS and turned off the three things it recommended and for the first time I didn't have it hang. I then went in and turned them back on one at a time and each time it went all the way through the loading process, so I was able to use Windows 8 without turning off any of the CPU features in the BIOS in the end. Give it a try!
Toxicslick
2 Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 13:00
So, how many of us who have bought the Aurora R3 within the last 2 years have been left high and dry? Mine was shipped to me October 31, 2011, that is barely over a year!
When I went through this with Microsoft, they were concerned that it might be the raid controller. Intel has an updated driver to the raid controller, but recommend that you get it through your equipment manufacturer - is that going to happen?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 13:00
P.gazzola
15 Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 13:00
I am close to the same time once i got the R 3 they stop all updates
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 14:00
Its no secret that certain Aurora R3's were always a little temperamental. IIRC, the issues and fixes were:
Sensitive to after market RAM upgrades and certain RAM configs where ALL DIMM sockets weren't filled, or filled with something other than exactly matching DIMM modules. Fix: Use all matching Dell or recommended Crucial DIMMs.
General instability in factory software load. Fix: Clean Win7-64, current chipset drivers and other drivers in proper order. Use Current video drivers. Leave off any special Dell software (Alien Re-Spawn) and Intel-RST.
Be sure it's getting plenty of good power. Use good UPS Battery (like APC).
And I'm going out-on-a-limb here (because I don't actually have an Aurora R3) ... but I have installed Windows 8 on several old machines with no problems.
If Win7-64 worked on machine (machine was working and stable) ... there is really no reason why Win-8 wouldn't run on it. Especially with Desktops ... it's not like there is some special hardware device inside it that needs special drivers or support. These Dell desktops are all fairly generic in that regard. Obviously, laptops are a different story.
Remember, I don't work for Dell ... nor can I speak to Dell's Policies.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 14:00
Good feedback.
Thanks for taking the time to try it.
Alienware-Luis_
200 Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 14:00
Just installed Windows 8 in the Aurora R3, no issues restarting, no hangs or freezes.
As Tesla stated, there is really no reason why Win-8 shouldn't run on it. If you have any issues they're most likely directly related to the OS upgrade process, in this case I'd recommend you contact Microsoft.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 19:00
After you clean install Windows-8, go to Device Manager. Unless there is a device in error, no more drivers are required.
I would then:
- update the video driver with a current "Win-8 compatible" one from amd.com or nvidia.com
- install the latest Alienware Command Center
Test operation
P.gazzola
15 Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 19:00
Would be nice knowing what version of aurora R 3 as there is no way you have it install with 2011 drivers as we try on 3 R 3 all fail with all different set up configuration.As stated dell always give up updating there older box R 4 last update 2012 none for R 3 I bet when window 9 out R 4 user will have the same problems as R 3 no support from dell with updates
FYI they had over a year to issue update for win 8
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 20:00
If you are going to try to install Intel Sandy-Bridge chipset drivers, you should do that first ... before any other drivers (right after Win-8 install completely finishes). However, by now ... these Intel drivers are either on the Win-8 disc or on Windows Update (and will install either automatically or with little effort).
P.gazzola
15 Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 20:00
thank you for your suggestions this was also tested as intel web site However this should not be our job to hunt drivers as our computer is a dell and should of be supported by dell My wife was going to buy an alienware laptop told her not too so she purchase a mac instead
wasteoftiamat
7 Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 21:00
I'm in basically the same situation as you. I've tried everything except wipe my HDD, and I'm really hesitant to try it and end up with no OS if it doesn't work. Could Mr. Pardo give us any information on the R3 he used? Maybe that can help clear this up. I just can't believe it's a software issue, as Win 8 installed perfectly on my other computer.
SPComiskey
4 Posts
0
November 6th, 2012 21:00
How can you possibly blame this on Microsoft if so many people here have the same symptoms... even AFTER completely deleting all the partitions on their hard drives and starting from scratch?
I have the most recent A06 BIOS, also tried changing the CPU Configuration settings and boot settings in the BIOS as recommended in previous posts by board memebers/Dell. Completely deleted all partitions, created a new partition, and booted the MS installation off of a USB key. All video card drivers updated for Win 8, etc. I consider myself to be somewhat computer savvy... average joe customers are simply not going to be able to do all of this to get the OS running.
You guys need to get your act together and start doing some testing on your own systems...as consumers, we cannot be expected to guess what the problem is and figure it out for ourselves. Computers... ESPECIALLY retail packaged computers... are supposed to simply work and be designed for the less tech savvy. Test it... fix it.
I dropped nearly 3 grand on this computer less than a year ago... if this is the kind of support we get, I will never buy another Dell again.
mvbaffa
1 Rookie
•
6 Posts
0
November 7th, 2012 06:00
THIS IS NOT A JOKE !!!!
mvbaffa
1 Rookie
•
6 Posts
0
November 7th, 2012 06:00
I do not beleive Dell/Alienware can post this kind of message. Allmost all Aurora R3 owners do have serious problems installing Windows 8.
This is a Dell problem, not Microsoft. My Aurora cost me, in march 2011, US 3,500.00. What Dell shoud do is to fix the problems on Aurora R3 Bios and stop posting messages like that.
What I want is a post telling us how to fix the problems.
Shame on Dell !!!
rswfire
3 Posts
0
November 7th, 2012 19:00
This is truly bizarre but I was able to resolve this problem. I have an Aurora R3 that was hanging on the Windows 8 loading screen. I was getting around this problem by continually pressing F8 -- it was the only way to get it to boot, but it was a temporary solution. I kept digging for an answer and this forum helped. I went into BIOS and turned off the three things it recommended and for the first time I didn't have it hang. I then went in and turned them back on one at a time and each time it went all the way through the loading process, so I was able to use Windows 8 without turning off any of the CPU features in the BIOS in the end. Give it a try!