MediaDirect 2.0 Overview - Page 3

Ok.... here is another download link.
It wont be too much faster than the previous but..... doing my best

DEAD

D.

grr... seems it was removed again.
I think I found a new place to upload that should be a bit faster, I just need to get it uploaded.. (my service provider is a bit peeved with me from all the uploading)
The other one HERE still works but is a bit slow... getting ~30kbs right now

Any ideas on how to make the HPA partition always visible?

I hate to have something on my harddisk that I can't access, especially if it's 1.5Gb wide.
I'd like to install my own mediadirect-like OS (like emovix, geexbox, etc), or even a different operating system, most likely a linux distribution.
My laptop: Inspiron 9400, with 100Gb HD and Windows XP MCE.

You can use a partition manager to enable it to be seen (not hidden).
I cant remember the one I have on my notebook, but can check when I get home if really wanted. (I dont think making that partition seen will hurt anything, but dont know for sure)

D.

BUMP! Any chance of making this a sticky?

someone definitely should. there are SOOOO many MEDIADIRECT threads in this group AND in others.

Hey has anyone actually tried the "short" way of repairing media direct?? did it work? I was thinking about reformating windows xp pro and just doing the short way. If thats the case my "restore function" wont work so i can just delete it right? and then I can install windows over the current windows partition. SO in the end i have 2 partitions, the "dell utilities" and "xp pro"...is that correct? Will that still make me elligible to do the short repair. Also, after I get windows up, do I need to install any software or drivers to make media direct work and before I run the repair utility? Please answer all my questions someone because this has been bogging my head for a few days now.

Thanks
Dan (sorry I am a noob asking for so much help)

Actually, if you just leave the partitions alone and reinstall xp over the previous partition, that will leave you with 3 partitions..... the dell utility (~4GB) XP (The Majority of your HD), then the MediaDirect Partition (~1.4GB).
SO, if you just reinstall XP over the existing partition (and dont mess with the others) you SHOULD be able to just run the repair utility to get it up and running again.

Hope this helps (and isn't entirely incorrect )

Should work?

You sound a little unsure whether it would work or not. Can mark confirm that this will work for sure....I really dont want to mess up my computer as I am not SUPER advanced outside of windows....thanks

Cant confirm with absolute certanty as I do not have your computer here in front of me.
But with mine, it had the windows and media direct partition completly missing when I bought it so I just created the windows partition and the media direct partition (then deleted the media direct partition so it was free space after the windows partition) then reinstalled media direct.
So with yours, if you already (still) have media direct installed and you dont mess with the partition sizes and just reinstall windows over the existing windows partition, then all you should have to do is run the repair utility and be good to go.

ok, but since I am reinstalling windows xp pro on that same partition, it makes the "restore" partition unavailable...so cant I just delete that for the extra space and media direct and windows xp will work just fine?

I have the E1705 and everything is still factory settings and the partitions are untouched and left how they were when I got it....

Oh and also, after I install xp, do I need any other software other then dell quickset to be able to use all the features in media direct. Will I need to install powerdvd to watch dvds or other stuff or does mediadirect just work...thanks

Dan

Yes you can get rid of the restore partition if you would like, or there are other posts here about how to use 3rd party software to create a backup/ghost image of your new install and put that onto your restore partition (you should do a search if interested).

As for other software, you will need to install the Dell Experience software on your new install (to get to the media direct type software that runs in windows) as well as the powerdvd (or other dvd codec) to watch your dvd's in windows (as well as the other video/audio/touchpad etc.. drivers for your new install).

You sound like you are basically ready to get going, so now you just have to do it.
There may be some hiccups at first (as this seems to be your first time) but you should be able to do it fine.

Good luck and have fun.

D.

Thanks MarkMcK, your instructions work! I have a e1505 and wiped out the whole hd (except for the hidden Dell system restore partition ~4gb) and the MediaDirect button didn't work since then. I followed the long repair (for A05 repair file) instructions and the button works as expected now. The original OS is XP home and I installed XP Pro on it.

But one thing that is peculiar though, I remember quite clearly that I didn't see any hidden partition for the MediaDirect/Dell Utilities when I tried to reinstall the OS. I just saw two partitions (one c: and one d: for ghost restore, non-hidden) and one hidden 4gb partition and one 8mb unallocated partition. That's it. I deleted the c: and d: partitions and left everything else intact. But still when I ran the long repair, it worked. But again, no hidden 1.5gb partition anywhere in the hd even after mediadirect button is fixed. I view my hd partitions using Partitionmagic, anything hidden or unhidden should be visible to me. And the total partition space adds up to the original hd space (~93gb for a 100GB HD). So, where is MediaDirect located in my case? People keep saying there is a 1.5gb hidden partition for MediaDirect but I don't see it. Is it somewhere in the hidden 4gb system restore partition? I am planning to erase that partition, too. But if it holds MediaDirect, maybe I shouldn't do that.

Also, I don't have Windows media center, so, I just installed an old version of the Dell Media Experience and CyberLink PowerDVD (I got them from my last laptop, I am not in the US and can't ask the tech support to send me the cd's). And Dell MediaDirect just launches Dell Media Experience with no problem.

If I completely reformat my hard drive then reinstall XP on the unpartitioned space, what will the MediaDirect button do? Will it act as basically a second power button and load XP? Or will it not do anything? Or will it cause some sort of error? I've read so many posts about issues with MediaDirect reinstallation that I'm contemplating just not even bothering with it.

BTW, thanks Mark this thread is amazing...forgot to mention that above

I think after reading through your instructions again I am going to do this:
One question though: I am using WinXP Home. Is Dell Media Experience the program that I will need to install to get it to work? Judging from bbjuju's post above, that's what I'll have to do but I just want to confirm everything 100% before I dive in.

(This is for an E1505, if that makes any difference. It's arriving Monday...stuck in a building 10 minutes away all weekend but the facility is closed till Monday morning...boo)

YEs, installing Dell Media Experience is needed to get everything back to completley normal.
I can upload it if needed (as I got the program off of a CD sent by dell)
D.

Media Experience

Hey thanks!

Can you up load it so I can use it after reinstallation of windows....that would be very kind of you.

Dan

pS. Does mark ever come on here anymore, i sent him a PM and he hasnt responded at all....

Ok, I have the Dell Media Experience uploaded, DEAD AGAIN.. currently re-upping to a new site(s)

doesnt work

Hey, the link for dell media experience doesnt work...can you put it somewhere else or make a new one?

I just tested it, and it IS working.
At the very top of the page there is the "Download from up-file" link.

You just need to try/look again.

D.

not working....

Its still not working for me...I keep getting this message...

There are -325 MegaByte of traffic on your account , what the heck does that mean....

Dan