I bought the retail version on day one. I could not install TW2 because my DVD drive was not compatible in reading the disc during installation...others also experienced the same problem .

Has this "compatiability" issue been resolved with recent patches?

If I d/l the game...will my installation problem be solved?

Appreciate any help.

The issue with the DVD's cannot be fixed with a patch, it's impossible.

The problem was that DVD drive lasers couldn't read and extract the data from the DVD.

The data on the DVD is physically pressed into it, so there's no way a patch can fix it.

You won't have that problem if you buy a digital download from GoG etc, but that costs more money.


EDIT:

BTW, have you tried copying the DVD files to your desktop and installing from there?

Or using another computer/DVD drive and copy the DVD to a flash drive, then try installing from that?

I had no idea some people experienced this type of problem...
Is it something to do with the layer setup or DRM used? (I am wondering as I remember having similar problem with Neverwinter Nights XP1 which was a DRM issue).

Also, to the OP, I would like to suggest you consider buying new DVD drive, where I am currently located you can buy a solid Samsung or Pioneer drive (with which I have had excellent results where DRM and secure reading/extraction is concerned) for about 20-30 euros. If you wish to explore this path send me a PM and I will reply with drive models.

Witcher 2 downloaded from Gog.com is one excellent choice and it will ceraintly fix your Witcher 2 issue, however it will not fix problems with other titles that your drive might experience in the future (if/when they appear)...

Nothing to do with DRM, it's how the discs were pressed.

Some DVD drive's lasers have trouble reading and extracting the data.

Crysis Maximum Edition suffered really badly from this, and so does this game, unfortunately.

With Crysis, the drive would screech and make loud noises trying to install the game from DVD.

Installation would either eventually fail with a CRC/component error, or it would take ages to extract/install a single file.

With some drives, it would install perfectly and without issue.

Exchanging the DVD for another doesn't do anything, you have to use a workaround or a different drive.

Fair enough, but the point of looking for a drive that addresses the underlying issues rather than re-buying every game that it will not work with in digital format remains valid and relatively inexpensive solution...