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    How to Restore MediaDirect?

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by sum.incognito, Oct 14, 2010.

  1. sum.incognito

    sum.incognito Newbie

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    I have a Dell XPS M1330 laptop. It originally ran Win Vista, but I managed to configure it to run Windows XP Pro. In the process, I repartitioned the hard drive, so I don't think my drive contains any of the special/hidden Dell partitions any longer, though gparted (linux partition table utility) indicates that there is an "unallocated" 2.49 MB section at the end of my hard drive. Furthermore, I do not have the MediaDirect software installed in Windows XP.

    Thus far, I've lived with the risk of accidentally pressing the MediaDirect button, but I want to try to resolve the issue once and for all, and I need your help to figure out how to do it. In short, how do I restore the MediaDirect functionality? Please help!

    Don't hesitate to ask any questions for clarification.

    Thank you,

    si
     
    sum.incognito, Oct 14, 2010
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  2. sum.incognito

    sum.incognito Newbie

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    As additional information, I have taken a backup of the MBR, the extended partition table, and the system partition. In short, I ready to try various techniques to restore the MediaDirect functionality.
     
    sum.incognito, Oct 14, 2010
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  3. gaah

    gaah Notebook Deity

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    you need to call Dell and ask for the MediaDirect restore disc, it also must be installed before Windows/other OS so be prepared to redo everything because it will completely wipe everything out on the drive before installing.
     
    gaah, Oct 14, 2010
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  4. sum.incognito

    sum.incognito Newbie

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    I have the MediaDirect restore disk, and I just booted to it, and I chose option 1, and it seems to have created the Dell Utility partition along with a the MediaDirect partition. Now I'm in the process of trying to restore the image I took of my "system" partition (C :). Having said that, I am having a little difficulty since it appears that the "system" partition appears to be corrupt. I just reformatted that partition under Win PE, and now I'm trying to restore the partition image using partimage under RIP Linux.

    Cross your fingers... ;)
     
    sum.incognito, Oct 14, 2010
    #4