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    Inspiron 640m: Media Direct with Dual Boot of Vista and Linux?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by bongski55, Jun 2, 2007.

  1. bongski55

    bongski55 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a inspiron 640m/e1405 with Vista preinstalled. Is there a way to dual boot Vista and Linux(Ubuntu maybe) and also have Media Direct working?
     
    bongski55, Jun 2, 2007
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  2. InlawBiker

    InlawBiker Notebook Evangelist

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    Have you check ubuntuforums.org? The 640m is one of my target machines for running Ubuntu. There are a number of threads there on this specific laptop. Apparently there are some problems getting hibernate/awaken to work with the 640m. I'd be interested to hear how it goes for you if you attempt installing it.

    At any rate, the Ubuntu install disk has a disk partitioner (gparted) that will allow you to make a new partition for Ubuntu while leaving the existing partitions alone. Download and burn the Ubuntu ISO and boot from it, it will guide you.

    I would look for a guide or howto online that explains how not to screw up your Media Direct partition. Assuming the Media Direct programs are on their own partition - usually they are. Then, in theory, the GRUB loader would see the partition and have it as a boot option when you switch on.

    Greg
     
    InlawBiker, Jun 2, 2007
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  3. bongski55

    bongski55 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Media direct as you already know works without opening vista. I read in other forums that if you change the MBR the media direct will no longer work from the front button. Installing linux would change the MBR for sure.
     
    bongski55, Jun 2, 2007
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  4. anonymousT

    anonymousT Newbie

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    i've installed ubuntu on my 6400 and the media direct still works after that, the grub bootloader does see media direct 3 as an os but you can't boot it from there, you still need to press the media direct button when the power's off.
    but after i installed xp (the system came with vista) it totally screws up everything, and now I need help with setting up a system with
    vista, xp, media direct3, ubuntu, + 2 more partitions for storage
     
    anonymousT, Jun 8, 2007
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  5. bongski55

    bongski55 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Dear Greg,
    I am glad to inform you that I have successfully installed Kubuntu on the Recovery partition of my 640m and everything is working fine.In order to preserve the vista and mediadirect 3 that I have I did not make a new partition.Just format the recovery partition to reiserfs and install to that partition.Also the grub bootloader must be installed on the kubuntu partition and not the MBR.then linux can be added to vista bootloader.
     
    bongski55, Jun 10, 2007
    #5