no dvd boot (FC8), media checked, cd boot fine

Hi,
I am trying to update to FC8 by install from scratch from DVD FC8 i386 boot disk.
My PC would not boot FC8 from a DVD, though DVD was verified to be correct
by booting elsewhere. Also, I did check sha1sum before burning.
BIOS is set to CDROM boot first and verified by booting FC6 from a CDROM.
By looking at flashing lamps, It seems GRUB checks CDROM (empty et this instance)
but fails to check the DVD drives and continues with presenting HDD boot menu.
Both FC8 DVD boot disks were burned on my drive and checked by booting elsewhere.

My PC is older, 0.5GB RAM, Award Bios,
I have one HDD (Samsung SV8004) (Pri/Ma) and CDRW (Sec/Ma), DVDRW (Sec/Sla),
YAMAHA CRW8824 and HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-H10N, respectively,

HDD is configured into dual (Windows XP/linux FC6) system.
Both Windows and FC6 see my CD and DVD drives correctly after boot,
I can read content of the DVD boot disk after HDD boot.

I was told to disconnect CDROM before booting. Any ideas on software
solutions? Does GRUB act as supposed?

Hi and Welcome !!

Its not a GRUB problem. BIOS checks First Boot Device and give control to CD/DVD/HD accordingly. If Machine is not booting up from DVD even after setting it as First Boot Device then problem is with BIOS/DVD drive only. Have you tried any other DVD on same machine?

I would suggest you to try un-plugging CD Drive.

Thank you for fast reply. I was busy implementing it.

Actually it sufficed to swap Master/Slave status of CD and DVD. It turns out
my BIOS would never boot from a slave. Now I can't boot from a CD, sigh.

Now FC8 seems installing ok from my DVD.

Glad to help you.
Have you checked your Mobo Manufacturer Website? Check if new BIOS version available. Its quite possible that new version include Slave Boot up option too.