Free BSD Release 8.0 not recognizing CD/DVD and usb install media

UNIX BSD
1

Hi,
I am trying to install Free BSD release 8.0 on my Dell XPS Studio laptop along with already existing Windows partition. (150GB for Win Vista, 30GB for win backup and 130 GB for Free BSD). To do trial I first installed it on Sun virtual Box in Windows where it installed without any complaints. However when I tried clean install it on the desired partition it refuses to recognize both my CD/DVD drive and usb disk during "Select installation media:" menu in sysinstall. Please do help me out as I need it to study for an course in upcoming semester.

In text the problem it shows is:
"No CD/DVD devices found! Please check that your system's configuration is correct and that the CD/DVD drive is of a supported type. For more information, consult the hardware guide in the Doc menu."
Its amazing because:

  • My installation media (release 8 CD) is already in CD/DVD drive.
  • I have tried both CD and DVD release so no chance of corrupted media.
  • How then the sysinstall menu came in first place if it didn't recognize my DVD or DVD drive
  • It installs pretty well in both virtual environments by Sun virtual box and VMware in Windows.

Specification:
Dell Studio XPS 13

Intel� Core� 2 Duo P8700 (3MB cache/2.53GHz/1066Mhz FSB)

Operating System
Genuine Windows� 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Specifications - Operating System

Operating System
Genuine Windows� Vista Home Premium, 64bit, English
Specifications - Operating System

LCD Panel
Edge-to-Edge 13.3" HD WXGA LCD with 2.0 Megapixel Camera
Specifications - LCD Panel

Internal Optical Drive
8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Specifications - Internal Optical Drive

MEMORY
4GB4 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM3 at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)
Specifications - MEMORY

Hard Drive
320GB5 7200 RPM6 SATA Hard Drive
Specifications - Hard Drive

Video Card
NVIDIA� GeForce� 9500M - 256MB
Specifications - Video Card

SOUND CARD
High Definition Audio 2.0
Specifications - SOUND CARD

Wireless Networking Cards
Dell Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card

2

One thing to keep in mind. When using virtual boxes you are using virtualized hardware sort of. I have ran into this before. Try hitting the Alt+Fx and get to a prompt. then try

dmesg | grep cd

. Normally my cd is /dev/ascd0 or something like that.

3

Hello

I had same problem last night but it worked with the setting below.
Check your IDE settings on virtualbox console.
cd : primary master
hdd that you want to install : primary slave
(FreeBSD installer cant seek secondary IDE device?)

I hope it makes sense to you.
thanks