Like CD-ROMs before them (and floppy disks before THEM), the computer industry at large is slowly phasing out DVDs for a number of reasons. Faster internet speeds, use of virtual machines, cheap cloud-based storage, the rise of media streaming... whichever cause you choose to blame doesn't change the fact that optical media and drives are disappearing from the Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) computer industry. Some computer manufacturers stopped shipping systems with optical drives almost 10 years ago.
Eventually, ASTi will be forced to follow suit. Not because we are trying to make our customers' lives harder, but due to the Forces of Industry, be what they may.
As a result of this industry trend, starting January 1, 2025, ASTi will no longer ship software installation discs (i.e., DVDs) with our systems by default. ASTi will, however, continue to include DVD drives as part of the default hardware system configuration for as long as the industry allows.
This change presents a number of options for ASTi customers. Customers can obtain ASTi installation files electronically through the ASTi File Transfer Portal at no charge, or pay a nominal fee to receive a set of DVDs by mail.
If you download the ASTi installation files, you can do one of the following: