Just for reference, my experience has been all good.
D54250WYK Bios 025 Legacy Mode. Windows 8.1
Aim Remote Control http://tinyurl.com/l7js7rl
"I thought powering on is related to the BIOS and not hardware drivers?" I'm sure it is, mine worked out of the box.
My memory's not what it used to be but isn't the IR port disabled by default so clearing the CMOS will revert it to this and so it has to be re-enabled?
Maybe the box is very picky as far as remotes are concerned.