Aurora R3 Windows 8 Support

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!

rswfire!

thanks for the tip so if understood you once the boot screen came you press F 8 key and it booted?

then turn back on once at the time the configuration

Hi, I had to repeatedly press F8.  It wasn't enough just to press it once, and it was important you press it before you see the Microsoft logo.  Essentially, I think it was running it in a sort of "safe mode" but it never showed any indication of this, and the reason for repeatedly pressing it is because there are two points in which I think it registers the click to get past the point in which it freezes up.

Since my post, I've found that my first response regarding the BIOS is incorrect.  I did not need to disable these.  The freezing still happens, but only during a warm reboot.  Someone else mentioned this above.  If I do a cold boot, I do not get a freeze on the loading screen.  So if you're trying to upgrade, each time it restarts your computer, shut it down real fast before it gets to the loading screen, and then turn your computer back on.  It's an odd issue, but it works perfectly normal from a cold boot without changing BIOS settings.

ok my update so far following the F 8 all is install and win 8 working have NOT turn bios back to enable this is my next venture. To tell all the truth having MS access to my BIOS scare me

thanks took me a few tries at least all working now and win 8 installing my updates

Windows doesn't have actual access to your BIOS.  They are just features of your chipsets that Windows can use.  Since you were able to install Windows 8 without changing your BIOS settings, I would not.  You are good to go!

thanks took me a few tries at least all working now and win 8 installing my updates

What solution worked?

I turn all in bios to disable as suggested by dell  then ran installer each time it started to spin press F8 key and it install it

then on login I press once F8 key all updates were done then turn computer off turn bios back to enable

I forgot to say that after the first reboot, after the installation, Windows is going to freeze. You are going to see a "_" white flashing in the top of the screen. Go in the boot order list and change it to UEFI: Windows Boot Manager. I didn't have this option before this installation.

I found a way to install Windows 8. In my case, I downloaded the version Microsoft put on their website. It didn't worked so after a couple of try with that version I used the Windows 8 CD of my sister husband. I booted on the CD and it didn't freeze at all. The only problem i got was in the partition menu. You have to delete all the partition. If not, well Windows 8 is going to say that your disk isn't good for Windows 8. It's a bit risky because you are deleting the Recovery partition, though i didn't had any problem. And voila Windows 8 is ready to go. 

Don't forget to update your drivers cause my graphic card wasn't ready and I had a blue screen. Only problem i got so far, i did install my drivers after that problem and everything seems to work normally. 

Another thing: I was trying to upgrade my Windows and install it with a Windows 8 French Cd. My sister husband Cd is a English version. This might have something to do, i dunno. Anyway i hope this is going to help everybody else because this thing is a beast. Dat 4 sec boot up.

best said above this:

the answer is simple there as been as mention no update for r 3 since 2011 this is a commercial reason as r 4 came out dell is known NOT to support there older model so you would have to buy a new system. Until the community revolt against dell and demand new upgrade there is no reason for them to do so Sad as i am a dell customer since the late 90's and will no longer trust them best to look at another distributor of PC check before you buy that they have updates there software if not stay away. It not like dell did not have time to make r 3 or any other pc they have compliant with window 8 as it been out for developer for over a year.

It will not work, you can get it it going but I would not trust an install that fails.  I have had Dells since 1990 including about 10 xps.s, 7 laptops,  and now 2 Alienwares and one laptop.  NEVER AGAIN  worst support EVER

Way to loose customers DELL!

I tried the fix that Luis has provided above, but no such luck.  I'm still getting a freeze upon reboot.  Like several other users I effectively have to boot 1 1/2 times in order to get the OS up.  The initial restart will freeze once I see the windows 8 logo.  I have to physically turn the PC off and back on again.  When it fires up the second time, Windows boots up...totally weird.

+1

I'm having the exact same issue

So we all have the same exact problem...freeze during Restarts only.  

A clean shutdown of the PC and subsequent startup works just fine.  

Dells Answer: Must be a Windows 8 problem.  We don't support it anymore even though you bought it less than a year ago, good luck.

These guys are a joke...if I supported customers at my job like Dell does I'd be fired.

Alienware is/was a premium brand that commands a high price tag.  Premium products are always higher profit margin products. Thus, you would expect a higher level of support for premium customers that are adding to your bottom line.  (80/20 rule anyone?)  That clearly is not the case with Dell.  They are shifting their focus to tablets/laptops and other mobile devices.  Their mentality: with the desktop users, who cares...we have their money and are leaving them in the dust.  

I will never buy another Dell product, and you can count on that.

hello!

It cant be window problem as it those not freeze my system since i follow the step to disable all 3 Cmos setting

It dell that are more interested in there quarter profits then to release new Bios update

I'm unable to update my Aurora R4 atm as well so its not just you.