Unable to boot from DVD drive in Windows 8

[veritasffg]

Just got my first Windows 8 desktop.  I'm aware of the new software based methodology for getting around the Secure Boot operation and booting from a DVD, but if I select the Atapi DVD-Rom drive to boot from, nothing happens - it just boots from the hard drive as normally done.  If I select another entry "DVD-CD Drive", the screen goes blank for a second, then shows a short horizontal cursor, and the PC locks up.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[patio]

Have you tried setting it as the primary boot device in the BIOS yet ? ?
Are you getting a "press any key" prompt ? ?

[veritasffg]

Patio:

Nice to see you're still there.  I tried changing the BIOS boot order first - but because of Secure Boot being in place, that has absolutely no effect.  I get no Press Any Key message at any point, in anything I've tried.  I'm reluctant to disable Secure Boot, since that's what the new method for changing boot order is supposed to make unnecessary.

Thanks for replying.

[patio]

Right after you select the DVD try pressing enter as it's loading...

[veritasffg]

Patio:

I've got the hard drive out now (at least I can back it up the hard way), but when I finish with that, I'll try your latest suggestion and post the results.

Thanks.

[patio]

Just a side note...safemode for Win8 has changed to Shift +F8...in case you may need it...

[veritasffg]

Is that "Shift +F" and then "*"; or is there no asterisk at the end?

[TechnoGeek]

I'm reluctant to disable Secure Boot, since that's what the new method for changing boot order is supposed to make unnecessary.

If Secure Boot is on (and if I properly understand the technology), the BIOS/UEFI will refuse to boot at all from a device without the specified keys loaded, regardless of what you 'choose' to boot from. Turn Secure Boot off and try again.

Is that "Shift +F" and then "*"; or is there no asterisk at the end?

F8 is a single key, usually above the number keys.

[patio]

Thanx for the assist...Techno...