Linux + Win XP Pro + Media Direct

What the heck is this media direct feature? My e1705 came with it and I don't even know what it is. I'm not a fan of Media Edition WinXP so I reinstall Pro, and also run Ubuntu 6.06.

My recommendation is Ubuntu, but it's based on Debian so it looks like you're heading in the right direction as far as OS's go

Why would you want to install Pro over MCE?

I don't want any of the MCE features either, but besides those, Pro and MCE are functionally equivalent [since MCE is built off of Pro!], except that you'll have to use a certain hack to allow MCE to join domains. If you already bought XP Pro to install it, go ahead (I'd rather just get rid of all the MCE functions entirely and also would rather see XP Pro on the startup screen), but it's definitely not worth $150.00 extra, AFAIK.

Also, if the version of XP Pro you're planning to install is an upgrade version, don't bother, since there's no upgrade path from MCE.

Anyway, about MediaDirect: as far as I know, it's just a partition (a little over 1GB). Obviously there's more to it, but I don't think having linux installed would cause any problems, because MediaDirect shouldn't be able to differentiate it from any other normal partition - MD, though, seems to be based off of Windows, so I have no idea whether the changes to the MBR will mess MD up (don't know anything about this MBR or GRUB stuff! Haven't had it mess up on me yet, so haven't needed to know anything )

I'm personally just deleting the MediaDirect partition - I'd rather have a gig of space than some utility that I don't see myself ever using!

This sounds logical. Pointless bells & whistles is what it sounds like to me.

And I like my copy of WinXP Pro even though it's less than legit. It has been custom built with many optimizations and lacks certain bloat that XP installs, thus giving me optimal performance for applications I like to run. Just my 2 cents.

i dunno what the fuss about that media direct button anyways, just a useless button i think

i use winxp pro along with SuSe Linux 10.0 (the best distrubituion for linux), and everything works well

does it allow you to watch dvds without booting to windows? hmm i didn't know that. after all some usefull feature

First thing I did was to Format and recover all my drive space, then installed WinXP Pro.

lol likewise

i wouldn't believe how could you watch a DVD without booting into windows, i mean cmon mat you need a playback software (a dvd decoder) to play a DVD how could you run a playback software without a O/S. hey i am confused!

Well, there might be an OS, for instance Windows (which some say there is a slimmed down version running), but besides that, DVD players all around the world work without an "OS" to run them. It's possible..On ASUS mother boards you can listen to music without booting to windows, I could only assume that watching dvd's isn't that far behind or even possible now.

and you comparing listening an audio disc to playing a dvd?

hmm are you sure what you talkin about?

did you know that my old sony cd player had Suse Linux 9.3 running under the hood?

If you are referring to whether I realize that everything runs on some form of "OS" or software, then yes I realize that. But who said that you are limited to Linux, Windows, or even MacOS for that?

Dell knows exactly what equipment they are putting these machines (Drives, Screen, Video Card and Sount) and could very well develope an "OS" to do this without windows or linux. Dvd players do it all the time.

Go to walmart and I'm sure you'll see portable DVD players (with screens). Same concept, more expensive components.

now we talkin into same language, it was just silly to compare the audio thingy to dvd playback, only the dvd playback requires a form of OS

well...even the Asus requires some form of software to play music without booting into windows (or whatever the primary OS is), so you could consider that a form of an OS. If it plays Mp3 then it needs a decoder as well (not sure if it does or not). So the only difference is the drivers for the screen and grfx card

Not all that different when you think about it

DVDs play fine in any distro of linx. You just have to have the CSS libraries installed. Obviously those aren't 100% legal in the states, you can easily download them from a "out of country" repository, however.

This subject went totally AWOL from the OP.

I have XP Pro and Ubuntu Linux on my 9400. Story follows :-

Stage 1.

1. Bran Spanking 9400 arrives.
2. above is 'flattened' (yes that's the technical description)
3. Standard Reinstall of XP Pro on 30GB (leaving space).
4. Install Ubuntu. Takes over the boot partition with GRUB (google).
5. Everything works. Mission Accomplished.

Now,

Stage 2.

Media Direct does not work.

1. Reinstall Media Direct (original CD, not repair) from XP.
2. GRUB is now trashed from your Boot Partition.
3. Run Ubuntu Installer, answer default questions then go through partitioning routine, mount all necessary devices.
4. Go Back.
5. Option To ReInstall GRUB.
6. Select.

Stage 3.

1. You can now boot into both XP and Ubuntu from GRUB.
2. Media Direct works perfectly from within XP.
3. Now Power Down.
4. Press MEDIA DIRECT button.

What you see is media direct launching, initial splash screen, then you see the GRUB initial screen but :-

Both on screen at the same time.

Select Ubuntu, cool OS loads = works
Select XP, cool OS loads = works, then runs your Media.

I have not investigated further (LOT = Lack of time) but I feel a competent C, Linux dude will solve this via GRUB with a flick or two of his/her fingers

Please add stage 4.


Dougie.

Dell Media Direct is Dell's own version of a "Quick On" DVD/CD audio player that will play without the need to boot into the operating system. Dell Media Direct also works from hibernate/suspend mode.

Without booting to the OS it allows about 6+ hours of play time... enough to watch DVDs on a flight all the way from LA to NY on battery alone!

It is achieved via a 1.5GB HDD partition and an on board chip.

Now that you know what it is and want to reinstall it, see this thread:

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=143218

I cannot believe people simply wiped their drive without investigating what it was first? What did you think the Media Direct button was for?

I'm dual booting gentoo and xp Pro.
Let me add some flames to the fire: Gentoo, imho, is the best distribution for its customizability. I wouldnt recommend it if you're looking for something easy to install, though.

Anyways, back to the point.

I think the following site may be of service. I haven't tried it, but it should allow mediadirect to work with linux. It is a guide to setting up the windows bootloader (NTLDR) to boot GRUB or LILO which would then boot Linux.

http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Dual_Bo...NTLDR)_and_why

Hope this helps!