I think everyone's on the same page now. First, LG and their support of the new 8X and up BluRay burners is HORRIBLE! Getting these things up and running on Vista and Windows 7 is a NIGHTMARE, especially with the x64 systems. I should elaborate and say that's only true for pre-existing systems however. I just did a brand new install with a WH08 drive and Windows 7 x64 and it just went in and flew. Nice. But all attempts to get it running on a build with previous burners just wouldn't go. Boo, Hiss! I went to the LG site for software and drivers and they have NOTHING, nothing but a stupid PDF showing all the wonderful features the drive has. That's laughable since the drives won't fire up unless you're on a brand new build. I expected more from LG.
Second, the bundled software blows chunks and I'm really being polite with that statement. For whatever reason, if you have ANY virtual drive software or BD enhancement software...the bundled software halts with "This software can only be installed with a LG(HLDS) device. The setup will abort." A call to LG support will result in a "technician" (also laughable) telling you the drive is bad and to return it. IT'S NOT BAD!!! You have to disable ALL virtual drive software and any drive enhancers like AnyDVD and then run the bundled software. I had PowerISO and AnyDVD installed and had to kill them both and voila! I had joy. So if you've got the LG(HLDS) error and you can't install the bundled software, you have to keep killing anything that's attached to your new LG drive and just keep doing that until you get a positive response from the install disc. Once you get the install to fly, feel free to re-enable your other software. Be cautioned, some add-ons like AnyDVD may tip over. Fortunately AnyDVD knows this and just provided an update with a workaround that allows PowerDVD to keep going with AnyDVD running. Sorry, I'm digressing. But do be prepared to go on the hunt for updated virtual drive software and whatnot with this crap drive and bundled software. They don't play nice.