How do I re-installing MediaDirect

I have just purchased an XPS 1210M from Dell. The OS is WinXP Pro. I formated all partitions and merged them together. Then divided the hard drive to 2 partitions letter C and D. After that, I re-installed the OS and driver successfully on drive C but I dont know how to re-install MediaDirect. I have tried many ways below to re-intall Media Direct but unsuccessful :

1. I used Partition Magic Pro 8.0 so I can create a new partition for MediaDirect from Drive D. This time I use the part which is the end off drive DBut when I run the CD (MediaDirect re-intall CD that I got from Dell), it stops after 10s and askes me to check my system.

2. This time, I create a partition from drive C and the it's located at the beginning of drive C. Then I run the CD, it runs and successfully installed. Then I turn off the laptop and press on MediaDirect , it said that the system miss file (I forgot the name), failed. And when I reboot the system, it failed too

3. I formated C and reinstalled OS again, this time, I follow the instruction I got along with the Cd from Dell :
a. Press F8 key to agree the licence agreement while installing windows.
b.When the set up partition window appears, use the arrow key to select unpartitioned space.
c.Type C to create new partition (The sixe recommended is about 1308MB)
...
.Select format the partition by using the NTFS file system.
But after installing windows XP, I couldnt run MediaDirect. (It stopped after 10s running and asked me to check the system)

Anyone who is experienced on how to re-install Media Direct. Pls help

 

There you go > Dell MediaDirect Repair Utility. Download, burn the ISO on a CD, follow the on screen instructions. it worked for me with Media Direct 2, I am not sure about Media Direct 3 Dell has been shipping latelly.

There is no need for a new partition for MD, you allready have one and you can't "see" it with Partition Magic. The original MD partition is still there even after you repartitioned your hard drive, it is hidden. Just run the Repair Utility and that's is, it should work just fine.
More info can be found Here (Understanding the Dell MediaDirect Partition).

 

OK here is the skinny...By using the windows installer to merge all the partitions, you removed the partition that holds the mediadirect system. I had the same problem and dell sent me the reinstallation disk as well.

Here is how you use it...
First run XP installation from CD. Wipe out all partitions and create what you want making sure to leave around 1308MB UNALLOCATED.... Do NOTHING with it. Go ahead and install windows on the primary partition and format your secondary partition(s) making sure you do not touch the 1308 unallocated space. NOW.... before you do ANYTHING (drivers, video, updates) run the mediadirect install CD. It should not error out this time. It takes a minute to install (300+MB) but when it is done, you should be able to use media direct. It took me a couple of install tries after installing XP but it eventually took after about 2-3 tries.

Moral of the story: Install XP and IMMEDIATELY upon getting the desktop, install mediadirect. You do not have to use the repair utility as it takes care of that automatically.

cheers,
whack

 

Actually, I would suggest leaving more space unallocated. Install of MD took about 1109 MB of my drive, and then I reclaimed the remainder with PartitionMagic.

But yes you are going to need the install CD since you already wiped out that partition.

 

Okay, I just finished a lengthy and mostly time-wasting session with Dell tech support. Here's my issue--

I have a new Inspiron 6400 notebook with Media Direct 3.0. I have all the disks necessary for a complete reinstall of everything. I started by using the Media Direct 3.0 reinstallation disc to "prepare" the hard drive. Then I installed XP, then put the Media Direct reinstallation disc back in the drive and WHAMO! The following error-- "The Media Direct CD can only be used with Dell computers". So apparently the Media Direct reinstallation disc sets up the drive in such a way that it cannot later recognize the partition IT CREATED!

Tech support was clueless, they want to send a new laptop, which seems total overkill. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this without getting a new machine?

Thanks!

 

neptune,

i recently rebuilt my wife's e1505/6400 with MD 3.0 - first step was to use the MD 3.0 disc to prepare the hard drive, then install the OS. My next step was to try an install MD 3.0 BEFORE I reinstalled the various drivers but MD would not autorun. So I went ahead and reinstalled the Cyberlink dvd software and the other various drivers (notebook system drivers, chipset drivers, etc), then I installed MediaDirect - it worked perfectly...

Hope that helps...

 

maybe..i would suggest u to reinstall ur xp, create a partition for letter "C" only, which is for ur windows partition. leave da rest unallocated.
after installation completes, like usual, install ur drivers.
then install media direct. if it's successful, u'll see an "unknown partition" in disk management. from disk management, use the rest of the unallocated space for partition "D".

 

Okay, here's the thing. I have tried using Partition Magic to leave a bunch of unpartitioned space for MD3 and it still gives me an error that I'm trying to install on a non-Dell machine. Not sure what's wrong. I'm trying to avoid reinstalling XP again since it's working perfectly and I already have all my programs and data installed.

Bottom line is that Dell makes this harder than it needs to be. The MD3 should be able to detect any suitable unpartitioned space and install there, period. This nonsense about "prepping" the HD is a joke.

 

AFIAK, there is no way around formatting with MD 3.0. If you want it, you have to use the reinstallation MD 3.0 disc first and it must format and prepare the HDD.

 

I upgrade the HDD and I want to install MediaDirect on my Dell 6400. Dell sent me 1 disk (Drivers and Utilities) but I don't know how to install MediaDirect on the new HDD. Please instruct me to install it.
Thanks.

 

Please help me.
Thanks

 

Here are the instructions another user sent me: