CD/DVD device driver is missing...

Hello all,

I understand this topic has been brought up before. I assure you I have reviewed all past threads on this topic to no avail.

I have an Alienware M15x that I used to use a few years back. It was running 64 bit Windows 7. Recently, I decided to upgrade to Windows 8 on it, only to run into a plethora of problems. I'd like to put Windows 7 back on it, but unfortunately the CD/DVD drive gave out on this guy a while back.

I have made a bootable flash drive and can get to the setup screen, but when everything loads and I choose to proceed in English, I am greeted with the error message "CD/DVD device driver is missing...etc". I have made sure that the device drivers are all up to date.

I have read elsewhere that you can simply click "cancel" at the setup menu when asked for the drivers, and then remove and re-insert the bootable flash drive, and then click "Install Now". Problem is, I don't even have that button.. My only options are to "browse" and "rescan."

I had also read that I should change my HD to to AHCI. It was already set to AHCI when I got the the BIOS menu, so that didn't work either.

I have ran into a few posts by people on other forums with my EXACT problem basically, but so far have been able to find no workaround for this. I am not amazingly tech-savvy but I know how to get around hardware... But Laptop hardware layouts scare me and I am quite afraid I'll bust something if I try to get the CD drive out and replace it.

If anyone could be of any assistance I would be MOST grateful. This is a powerful computer that is just sitting here collecting dust. He wants to spread his wings!! Help me help him!

If you need any additional information, please don't hesitate to ask.

The error is almost always a bad installer. Download a new ISO for your licensed version from Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 and write it to stick with the tool provided. Then follow the same steps given there to get a perfect install.