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I'm trying to fresh install Windows 8 Pro x64 bit to a blank SSD, but am having trouble getting the Windows 8 installer to even start.

What happens...

  1. I place the Windows 8 DVD in the drive, start the computer, press a key to boot from DVD.
  2. Windows 8 logo appears, and hangs for a couple of minutes.
  3. A spinning progress indicator appears, the screen goes black (like its transitioning to the next step), and remains black. There is no cursor prompt or anything... just a black screen.
  4. Eventually after letting it sit for 5 mins, the computer flashes a bright blue screen with white text for an instant (similar to a BSOD), then the computer reboots.
  5. Cycle repeats.

Right now I suspect two things: 1) secure boot settings, and 2) graphics card drivers.

Secure boot:

  • I'm using a ASUS Crosshair V Formula motherboard with the latest BIOS ROM (v1703, 10/17/12)
  • In the BIOS settings, it's set to use UEFI for the DVD drive boot device (for when it loads the installer from DVD.)
  • There is no explicit UEFI or secure boot option for the SSD boot device.
  • This begs the question... does this motherboard support Windows 8? The product website seems to suggest so, since you can download Windows 8 support files for it.
  • If it does, what settings would I have to change to ensure its using secure boot for Windows 8?

Graphics card:

  • I'm using 2x RAEDON HD 5870 cards (linked with Crossfire)
  • If this is the problem, I'd have no idea how to fix it...

Ideas?

EDIT: I think I can rule out the video cards, since I was able to run the Windows 7 installer with the same hardware, no problem. I find it highly unlikely that Win7 setup can handle my video cards, but Win8 setup cannot.

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  • Only a guess, but remove 1 Radeon HD and looks if this fixes it. – magicandre1981 Jul 15 '13 at 4:02
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If the computer is unable to boot from Windows 8 DVD with the Secure Boot option turned on, the boot screen should print out a message that says it's not a bootable device. Try this method and it may help you out:

Enter into the computer's BIOS. Find an option called "SATA Mode", change it from IDE or Compatible mode to AHCI Mode.

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  • Good call, however, my BIOS was already set to AHCI when setup failed to load. On a similar and interesting point, when I tried to install Windows 7 on the same exact hardware (and settings), its setup also hung on 'Setup is starting', until I switched from AHCI to IDE mode, after which the Windows 7 install completed successfully. I have not tried Windows 8 install with IDE mode yet, and my BIOS does not have a 'Compatible' option to use. – David Elner Jul 19 '13 at 17:58
  • IDE mode is also shown as Compatible mode in some BIOS versions. I've purchased a Dell computer comes with Windows 8 pre-installed, it runs normally with AHCI mode, but it will always fail to boot if I change it to Compatible mode. That is why I recommend you give a try with the hard drive mode. Maybe IDE mode would work on your situation. – Arnaud Nouard Jul 21 '13 at 9:07
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I have found post on a forum which might give you the answer. Did you see this?

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  • Thanks, but this doesn't really tell me anything about how to fix my issue. – David Elner Jul 14 '13 at 21:09
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    Link only answers are discouraged, please include a summary of what was in the link, in case it ever goes dead. – Scott Chamberlain Jul 14 '13 at 23:51

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