Files not seen in mediadirect

Hi,
This may be already answered somewhere on the forum, but I couldn't find a specific answer. On me e1405, when I boot into mediadirect by pressing the button, it all loads up fine. But the software does not see any of my files(pics, mp3s.) It only sees some default music files and pics, which were loaded by dell.
My files have been shared to be seen by all users, and can easily seen by the guest account thru Win Xp. Any ideas how I can make them accessible under mediadirect? (Note: I did reformat my Hdd, reloaded windows xp MCE, and repaired mediadirect)

Secondly, do people who use mediadirect really find it useful (by this I mean booting into mediadirect directly. I do like the functionality of the buttons in the front, but while in windows MCE) , as opposed to booting in windows and seeing your pics/playing songs? Is there any significant advantage (only think i can think of is battery life?)

I was planning to reclaim this ~4gb space using the Hitachi ftool utility to resize my hdd.

thanks

 

You need to navagate further back into it. Once you get far enough back it kina looks like media center, with pictures, movies, music, video, all with multiple locations you can get them from. Its there you just need to look harder.

 

well..i cant see any way to navigate further, other than update library. There doesnt seem to be a way to search for individual files.

 

as far as I could tell, it could only find files in the "My Videos" and "My Music" folders. Kinda sucked, but I complied and moved everything there.

 

where do you have your files located? Have you tried this:
1. Press the Media Direct Button while your laptop is 0FF
2. Press F8 before Media Direct loads
3. Select the option "Delete Restoration Data"

That should reload your library.

 

Listen to SG, I had the same problem a couple weeks ago... mediaDirect worked perfect, but it couldnt find any of my files. Push the mediaDireect button while the laptop is off but you might need to repeatedly press F8 like I had to. Just keep pushing til it gives you the option to delete the restoration data and voila, there you go.

As for its usefulness... now that I have it repaired and working, i've probably used it once in the time since i've had my laptop. Its not the most useful feature, and I prolly wouldnt cry if it were gone, but in a pinch when you really dont feel like booting up your entire laptop (i.e. no work to do on it and no internet connectivity) then its nice to just go straight to your music.

 

It saves battery life too. It would be handy to use on a plane if you wanted to watch a movie, and save as much battery life as possible. I mean the media direct has just replaced my portable DVD player.

 

how much more battery life do you get watching a dvd in media direct? i have an e1505 with the standard battery.

 

I was able to test this, and I got a little over 30 minutes difference in Media Direct Vs. Windows. Your mileage may vary.

I, however, liked Windows because of the ability to see the clock, etc.

 

Where can I learn about the Media Direct? I am specifically interested in finding out what are the features of the Media Direct DVD player? I could not even figure out how to skip to next chapter. "N" key did nothing and RightMouse button did nothing. Also I tried my best to get the sub-titles but no luck.

- Vikas

 

I had the same problem too with Media Direct not finding my files. However, there should be a button that says "Update Library." After I clicked that MEdia Direct searched my laptop and found all my files. MediaDirect doesn't automatically update its library for my laptop. I always have to click "Update Library" whenever I add new songs in WIndows XP.

 

tried that...no luck. it only reads files from the default guest account pictures and music folders, not from my personal "my music" or "my pictures" folders, even though they are shared.