[M1530] Uninstalling Media Direct and installing Ubunbu

Hi, first post here though I've been reading since I began researching into laptops a couple of months ago xD.

I have an M1530 that currently has Dell Media Direct and Vista Ultimate 64 installed, I want to install Ubuntu into it too but I read that if you boot using the Media Direct button it can damage the partitions and I would have to install everything again. I did some research about it but couldn't find much, is there a way to fix that besides not booting with that button?.

If not, is there a way to uninstall Media Direct including the hidden partition without doing a clean reinstall? since I don't want to have to reinstall windows again.


Thanks.

 

Search button is there to be used!

There is a whole host of threads in the dell forum about this, well more on getting rid of the media direct partition, there's also a few on reassigning the media direct button or at least making it redundant.

I'd imagine the simplest way would be to mearly wipe that partition using something like partition magic, then re-assign the space, but you still need to remove the functionality of the media direct button or else accidentally pressing it is going to cause some serious headaches for you.

 

I did a search here but couldn't find anything about removing it completely without a clean reinstall, honestly I forgot to search the Dell forums so sorry about that.

I thought about just erasing the media direct partition but I can't find how to remove the Media Direct button or making it do the same as the power up button. I only found a thread about using that button to launch Ubuntu but had some instructions that you should do before installing the OS (like using the MediaDirect CD to create partitions and then resize them).

Basically what I would like to know is, if I wipe the media partition and create a new one for Ubuntu, what would I need to do to remove the functionality of the media direct button?.