I pressed The Dell Media Direct Button & Now XP Won't Start ;-( - Page 2

Here's what worked for me.

Using the reinstallation cd for win xp, I repaired my master boot record. I first ran chkdsk -p - r, that seemed to find a couple of errors and fixed it. However, what really fixed it is "FixMBR" command. This seemed to create a new master boot record for me, and I was able to load windows fine after that.

OMG!!! it works!!!!

THX!!!

I love U!!

I allmost reinstall my OS.

I meant it for the guy how write :

This happened to me also... I just shut off the computer then I pushed the media direct button again then restarted it and it worked fine....

THX!!!!

non of the above short fixes have worked.

It's the girlfriends computer... ersonally wouldn't buy a Dell but whatever...

It's an inspiron 6400 running vista I think or xp

I tried pressing the media button again. that didn't work. media centre comes up and tries to load but I get a blue screen with...

"STOP: c000021a {fatal system error} The session manager initiaization system process terminated unexpectedly with a status of 0Xc000017d (0x00000000 0x00000000). The system has been shut down."

Taking the power chord out and battery and leaving for 3 minutes hasn't worked either. When I press the power button or the media button, the media centre tries to load and fails with blue screen and said message above.

Really stupid design.

David

I couldn't use any third party utilities like suggested because I don't have a boot disk. Unfortunately My girlfriend sent the machine to her brother who wiped it and has the original os but wouldn't listen to replacing the boot files. Not that it matters, the machines had to be wiped that many times I'm encouraging her to buy a toshiba or a mac

OMG OMG I HAD TO MAKE AN ACCOUNT TO SAY THIS...BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH! i looked this up on my phone, and i seen your post, IM SO HAPPY..like this isnt even my computer...lol that would of been the 3rd computer crashed! omg thanks so much!

After trying EVERYTHING and I MEAN EVERYTHING I had to simply go into an active windows 7 boot disc and delete the "Media Direct" partition. Once this was done I was able to boot as normal. 

Hi, this question was posted some time ago but I've just experienced the same thing so thought I'd let people know what I did for people looking for a solution in the future. I am a complete techno-phobe and read quite a few forums talking technical language I didn't understand but talking about phoning Dell and losing all the information on your computer etc. Just as I was starting to panic I came across a site called Doodgical. A great guy. Speaking in idiot proof terms even I could understand. He said to do the following 3 simple things - which I did, and it worked perfectly : 1. Take out any CD or DVDs you may have in your computer. 2. Turn your computer off. 3. Whilst your computer is STILL OFF, press the Dell Media Button which is the small button with the picture of a house on it, to the left of your on/off button. Although your computer is off, this button will start it up again and instead of getting the blue screen of death we have all been getting with the Dell Media Direct thing...you get your homescreen back. Oh joy....!!! Thanks again to Doodgical, lifesaver :)

I am now experiencing the same problem.  I'm currently running a Vostro 1500.  I actually installed a game onto the dell and after that game crashed I've been getting the blue screen of death after my system reboots to dell media.

I've tried everything even going so far as trying to reformatting the computer, but each time I attempt to do anything, the Dell Media Direct window pops up and thwarts my efforts.

Then I tried people's advice of hitting the DMD button.. all it does is take me directly to a new title screen (DMD direct) then puts me back to DMD mode.  No matter what I do, it takes me to this cursed screen which then takes me to the blue screen of death.  The only solution I can think of at this point, is throwing my Dell out the window.

Anyone have any advice to get out of this mode?  I miss windows a lot.

>>>>>>>>>I FOUND A FIX

1.Boot up computer with selected OS (xp,vista,etc)

2.Go through all the steps like your installing vista

3.When you get to the partition screen delete the MediaDirect Partition.

4.Then your finished. Remove CD from tray and Reboot.

Boot OS from cd tray from the Bios