Michele Bert wrote:
2014-12-11 13:26 GMT+01:00 James Sinnamon <james.sinnamon@gmail.com>:
I thought I had changed the boot order so that the first boot device is the DVD. However, it will still only boot Windows 8.1 off the hard disk drive. As I was afraid of: the secure boot! At the moment, I am allowing Windows to boot and install, but have first disconnected the computer from the network. (If it won't install Windows off-line, then i consider that a warranty issue.) I'm afraid I don't get the point (relationship between off-line install and warranty).
Just to expand on this point ACER; will probably claim you had a working version of Win 8.1 installed and/ or a reinstallable image on the instal DVD. -If disabling secure boot requires an independant aftermarket copy of Win 8.1 for instal; then registration will almost certainly require an on-line instal. -There are I believe 'unregistered' ..ah-hem copies which will by-pass this requirement;but will for-go access to upgrade packs. -Out of curiousity; (not that it will help); does the ACER Aspire allow by-passing the BIOS boot order by an arbitrary "F8" boot selection ? But in the end a proceedure specific to OS's and laptop model; as per Mick's advice will probably be what works ! regards Rohan McLeod