MediaDirect 2.0 Overview

As there is information on MediaDirect 2.0 spread all over the place, I thought it might be helpful to pull things 'together' into one place and provide a bit of a 'recap' of what is known about MediaDirect 2.0 in the newer Dell laptops.

I hope not to further confuse things, but if I do... I apologize. This information is the best I have been able to gather from observing what happens on my e1505 and reading thru the posts/experiences of others. Is it 100% complete/correct??? Probably not, so I ask for corrections to include omissions.

vr

Mark

NOTE!!!! This post/thread pertains to MediaDirect 2.0 and NOT the newer version [MediaDirect 3.0] recently installed by Dell. From the information available, it appears that the location, reinstallation and repair of MediaDirect 3.0 is substantially different.

------------------------------------------

1. MediaDirect Operation

From Windows XP MCE

a. Prerequisites????

For the Insprion 9300 ... 'QuickSet... is necessary for Dell MediaDirect to function. Changing or disabling QuickSet’s default settings can limit Dell MediaDirect’s functionality.' It is unclear if this holds true for MediaDirect 2.0

Dell Media Experience [aka DMX] is NOT needed [However, see para 4.a. for XP Pro/Home]

b. 'Normal' Operation

With Power ON and complete boot to Windows XP MCE, momentarily depressing the MediaDirect button will launch Microsoft MediaCenter [Note: This is NOT Dell Media Experience]; Depending on which option you select when exiting the application, Microsoft MediaCenter will either 1) Close MediaCenter and resume Windows 2) Log Off 3) Shutdown the computer, 4) Restart the computer or 5) Place the computer in Stand By

------------------------------------------

MediaDirect Operation from Power OFF

With Power OFF, momentarily depressing the MediaDirect button powers on the computer and causes the BIOS to display a momentary MediaDirect 'splash' screen. If present, the Dell boot code will then launch Dell-Cyberlink MediaDirect [On my system it was version 2.0.20060118c.CH756]. The first time MediaDirect is run you will be displayed a black and white 'progress' screen followed by a 'Welcome to Dell MediaDriect... Building your Dell MediaDirect files' screen. This takes about 30-45 sec or so. On subsequent starts, MediaDirect will load quite quickly.

Function Keys

F1 - Help
F7 - Toggles Speaker On/Off
F8 - Volume Down in 5% increments
F9 - Volume Up in 5% increments

Upon exit of MediaDirect, the computer will resume a Power OFF state.

 

2. Where is it????

When the computer is delivered the hard drive will have four different 'areas/segments' defined. Each serves a special/unique purpose or function. In order they are... Dell Utility partition, Win XP MCE partition, Dell PC Restore partition and the Dell-Cyberlink MediaDirect host-protected area [HPA]. Each is accessed in a different way...

a. Dell Utility partition; ~39MB [F12 key at appearance of Dell logo splash screen] -- Following Pre-Boot Assessment performed by BIOS, launches Dell diagnostic utilities. On exit, system will reboot.

b. Win XP MCE partition ['Normal' boot process] --

c. Dell PC Restore partition ~4.8GB [Ctrl + F11 keys at appearance of www.dell.com 'blue bar' screen] -- Will restore PC to 'as-delivered' state; Following restore, computer will reboot and you'll be presented Dell EULA, Service Tag info etc

d. Dell-Cyberlink HPA ~1.5GB [Accessed by depressing MediaDirect button with Power OFF] -- Applies power to computer and launches Dell - Cyberlink MediaDirect application; Upon exit of application, computer will turn off.

The sizes and location of the three partitions can be confirmed by using Windows Disk Manager [Right click 'My Computer'; select 'Manage'; open 'Storage' tree and select 'Disk Management'].

However, the HPA used for MediaDirect cannot be viewed using conventional applications or utilities and is essentially a 'hidden' area of the hard drive. Its existence can be confirmed by comparing 'reported' hard drive capacities to those detailed in the hard drive specifications/documentation [Note: There are also specialized forensic tools that can confirm a hard drive is using an HPA]

Note: It has been reported that Dell has begun delivering some models with an additional, 4th partition which occupies ~25% of the overall hard drive space. This appears to be used to support a trial version of Norton Ghost 10.

 

3. MediaDirect 2.0 related utilities....

NOTE: Be sure you use MediaDirect software/utilities for the E1505/6400 E1705/9400. MediaDirect for these models should be identified as Dell MediaDirect version 2.0. Utilites/Drivers for Inspiron 6000/9300 will NOT work [e.g. R95248, R107182, R113403]


a. MediaDirect 2.0 Reinstallation CD [DH371 or RJ262] --

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Note: The RJ262 media appears to be a newer version and more applicable to the recent Dell laptop systems. My attempt to use the 'older' DH371 CD failed, whereas the RJ262 did not. In particular....

After completing the Reinstall and attempting to run MediaDirect from Power OFF, was displayed MediaDirect 'splash' screen [generated by the BIOS] and then immediately got blue windows 'fail' screen

"A problem has been detected... windows has been shutdown... Technical information:

*** STOP: 0x0000007B (0xF9E4f528, 0xC0000034, ...)"

Had to use Power button to turn OFF computer as keyboard was disabled.

In comparing the two readme.txt files in the respective Program Files\Intel\INFInst folder...

DH371

* Product: Intel(R) Chipset Software Installation Utility
* Release: Production Version
* Version: 6.1.0.1008
* Target Chipset#: Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/PM/GMS/910GML
* Date: June 10, 2004

RJ262

* Product: Intel(R) Chipset Software Installation Utility
* Release: Production
* Version: 7.2.2.1006
* Target Chipset(s)#: 955X/XM/975X/945G/P/PL/GM/PM/GMS/940GML/E7230/E8501
* Date: October 13 2005

One identifying feature between the two versions is that DH371 has only a single XPEI.exe file in CD root directory whereas RJ262 has a XPEI1.exe and XPEI2.exe files
​

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

i. Used if/when you "... REPLACE your existing hard drive with a NEW drive."

ii. This utility will be needed because any 'NEW' hard drive you receive will not have... 1) the specialized 'Dell' MediaDirect boot code and 2) the MediaDirect HPA.

iii. By following the reinstallation instructions the utility will install the Dell code and also create a 'conventional' NTFS partition on your new hard drive and load MediaDirect in that location. Once complete, the MediaDirect function should perform just as if it had an HPA. The only difference will be that instead of looking for an HPA during boot, the computer will be directed toward a conventional partition on the hard drive. You should be able to see/confirm the existence of the MediaDirect partition by using Windows 'Disk Manager'. The MediaDirect partition will be approximately 1.4GB in size, located at the 'end' of the hard drive and have no label or drive letter.

iv. It has been pretty well confirmed that the instructions for the Reinstallation CD has an error. It says "... you must partition the hard drive so that 1308MB of space is left Unallocated and reserved for Dell MediaDirect". This has been shown to cause an installation 'hang' due to insufficient disk space.

When partitioning your new hard drive in preparation for reinstalling MediaDirect it is suggested that you leave 1500MB of Unallocated space at the END of the hard drive. This space must be Unallocated [Not Free Space which is Disk Management nomenclature for empty space within an Extended partition] and it must be located after all other partitions.

For example if you have a 10GB hard drive and create a single 8.5GB primary partition you have left 1.5GB of unallocated/unpartitioned space. What you would NOT want to do in this example is to set up your hard drive so that you have a 8.5GB partition followed by a 1.5GB partition. In that case, you haven't left any unallocated space for the utility and it will fail.

In another example, if you had a 7GB Windows partition, followed by 2GB of unallocated space, followed by a 1GB data partition, the MediaDirect Reinstallation would fail because even though you have the needed unallocated space, it is not in the correct location on the hard drive.

If you are using Windows reinstall CD/DVD to configure your partitions, when you are presented a list of existing partitions and unpartitioned space, this is where you can confirm you have the correct size/placement of the unallocated space. In the 'box' you should see a description of your hard drive [e.g. XXXXX MB Disk 0 at ID 0 on bus 0 ....] followed by a listing of the current partitions. There must be a LAST line which shows:

Unpartitioned space xxxx MB

The values for xxxx MB should be at least 1500 MB

Note: You should try to avoid using any extended partitions in conjunction with a MediaDirect Reinstall. The reinstall application is not able to properly account for the extended partition and will create an invalid boot.ini file in the MediaDirect partition. This will cause MediaDirect to fail [More than likely with a hal.dll error message].

This can however be repaired by properly editing the boot.ini file in the MediaDirect partition. A utility such as Editbini [which is run from DOS] can be used for this task.

v. As mentioned in preceding paragraphs, the Reinstallation Utility will use unallocated hard drive space and create a 'conventional' partition for MediDirect. The computer has provisions to support up to four primary partitions. The computer keeps tracks of its partitions in a Partition Table.

If you attempt to run the Reinstallation Utility and there is not a vacant 'slot' in the Partition Table [i.e. you already have four primary partitions on the hard drive]. Even though you have made provisions for the necessary unallocated disk space, the installation will fail due to a 'full' Partition Table. In planning for a reinstallation of MediaDirect I would suggest that in addition to leaving the needed 1.5GB of unallocated space, you limit yourself to a maximum of three primary partitions.

Note: If your MediaDirect Reinstallation 'hangs' at 10% after launching the utility, it is an indication that you either have a full Partition Table, you have insufficient unallocated space or the unallocated space is not located at the end of the hard drive.

 

b. MediaDirect 2.0 Repair Utility

R113024 MediaDirect Repair rev A03; Inspiron MM061, MP061, MXC051; [Inspiron 9400/E1705, 6400/E1505, XPS/Inspiron M140/630m] via download; or MD2 folder on XF088 'Resource CD' --

Note: [6 May 06] There is a newer version R121517 MediaDirect_Repair A05; Inspiron E1405/640M, 9400/E1705, 6400/E1505, XPS/Inspiron M140/630m, XPS M1710. This thread may not accurately reflect this newer version

i. Used in situations where you have your ORIGINAL hard drive and are having difficulties with proper operation of MediaDirect. One of the more often seen symptoms is when you push the MediaDirect button from Power OFF there is a momentary display of a MediaDirect splash screen [generated by the BIOS] followed by the computer booting to Windows MCE and launching Microsoft Media Center. Another is that when pushing the MediaDirect button while in Windows you will be presented a prompt saying "Unable to launch Dell Media Experience. Please install the software and try again".

ii. MediaDirect [From Power OFF] can be 'broken' many ways. The most common causes for 'crippling' MediaDirect seems to be repartitioning of the hard drive; either thru deleting/moving partitions or creating new partitions.

iii. MediaDirect can also be broken by a straightforward reinstallation of Windows XP MCE [without having performed any repartitioning] and simply reinstalling XP in its original partition and leaving the other partitions [e.g. Dell Utility and Dell PC Restore] in-place and intact. This problem is created by the Windows reinstallation overwriting the Dell boot code needed for MediaDirect operation.

iv. The repair MUST BE DONE FROM DOS and the computer must be powered OFF when the repair is complete.

 

4. Miscellaneous

a. MediaDirect Operation from Windows XP Pro or XP Home

When the MediaDirect button is depressed while in XP Pro/Home the computer will attempt to launch Microsoft MediaCenter. Since it is not installed, it will fail with a message "... unable to launch Dell Media Experience". It appears that by loading Dell Media Experience [Note: Possible source is N7174 CD] on a Win XP Pro/Home OS, MediaDirect operation be modified so that when depressing the MediaDirect button while in Windows, the Dell Media Experience application will successfully launch.

If you intend to load Dell Media Experience [DMX] Dell suggests...


​

b. "I've used the MediaDirect 2.0 Reinstallation CD on my original hard drive. What should I do?"

I guess it depends on what type of individual you are... If it works, then you can just leave it alone. If it 'bugs' you to have a slightly 'abnormal' computer configuration you can attempt to clean things up and start over. In particular, you'd end up deleting the MediaDirect partition and performing the appropriate Long/Short MediaDirect Repair.​

c. "I want to preserve the normal operation of MediaDirect. What steps would I follow to delete all the Dell partitions and then reinstall Win XP MCE on a single 'big' partition?"

You have three options....

1. Use the MediaDirect Reinstallation CD and 'abandon' the HPA files/applications

2. Reinstall Windows, but initially make a small partition as a 'place holder' in the Partition Table and then make your system partition. After Windows is installed you'd run the MediaDirect 'Short' Repair

3. Follow the respective MediaDirect 'Long Repair'



​

d. MediaDirect functions/limitations [Courtesy Garbuckle @ NBR Forums]

1) does not support Divx
2) supports USB mouse/keyboard (and of course USB storage devices)
3) does not support firewire
4) does not support DRM (DRM-WMA to be specific)
5) supports external monitors (it cloned my display onto my DVI monitor)
6) does not support external USB soundcard (reverts to onboard sound)


​

e. F8 Key during MediaDirect start - If you depress the F8 key during the startup of MediaDirect you will be presented a menu/prompt screen...

System restart has been paused:

Continue with system restart [Default]
Delete restoration data and proceed to system boot menu


​

If you continue with the default selection, there will be a brief display of a "Resuming Windows' progress screen and MediaDirect will launch.

It is unclear what impact option 2 will have on MediaDirect operation. It has been reported that this will restore ability to browse the system partition for multimedia files when that ability is somehow compromised.


​

f. Boot Managers

If you install a boot manager of some kind, there is a good likelyhood that MediaDirect 2.0 will no longer function. That is because most boot managers need to write their own unique boot code onto the hard drive.

This causes the same effect as when reinstalling Windows. Important sections of the Dell boot code are overwritten and MediaDirect can no longer be launched. Depending on which portion of the Dell code is overwritten, it may not be recoverable.

​

 

Sadly the lack of DRM and Divx made the app useless to me and I blew it out for the extra HD space. Would be nice to try to hack that in, but I wont bother with it. I thought I would get use out of it as is, but havent needed it once since I got the lappy so away it goes.

Good info compilation though

 

Nice Job Mark. I'll put a link to it in the Reformat Sticky.

Do we know if spare partitions can be created and the Media Direct will still work? I've heard that it doesn't.

 

Awesome, Simply Awesome!!!

This peeks my interest, CoastalCarolina mentioned Quickset on his NBF post. You say its automatically installed, by the 30 min banner?

This will be a great resource for all MediaDirect 2.0 owners/users.

Thanks,
Hermit

 

For me....

Yes, I've been able to add/remove/delete/modify partitions [using Partition Magic] and MediaDirect still functions 'normally'.

Not sure my steps/success can be replicated, but for me anyway....


Mark

 

Word of caution wrt MediaDirect....

When launching MediaDirect from Power OFF, changes are made to the computer's Partition Table. The Partition Table is not restored to its original condition until the computer is subsequently rebooted to Windows.

If for some reason you do not boot to Windows after using MediaDirect, but instead boot to DOS [using a CD for example], the Partition Table is STILL in a modified 'state'. Any operations you perform that would rely on an accurate Partition Table for proper operation [e.g. Windows reinstall, partition changes using a Boot Manager, or most other Partition utilities], may either fail or corrupt your system.

This can be avoided by FIRST rebooting to Windows, and then performing a reboot into DOS. Your Partition Table will then be 'restored' and partitioning operations can proceed.

Mark

 

Dear all,

I am having a different problem with Dell MediaDirect. First, I reformatted my HD with WinXP Pro SP2, which caused MediaDirect button failed to run. I then d/l the MediaDirect Repair Utility from Dell, and ran the repair.bat in DOS. Everything seemed good and set to go, but then later I got into something worse....

I went thru all the initital setup for MediaDirect, even attempted to play a DVD, but then it freezed on me there. I restarted my Laptop, tried to launch MD w/ the MD button, got in there, but only got blue screen w/ the MD logo with nothing else. No menu, no button...nothing at all. Only way to exit is pressing the power off button. I am so lost here. I got the MD reinstallation CD, but unable to reinstall it into the HPA partition. I do not want to mess up w/ the original setting by installing another MD in a new unused partition. PLEASE HELP!!!

Thanks

 

So here's what happened when I did a fresh XP MCE install on my replacement 40GB HD. This is the HD that Dell sent because I had a HD boot error.

I was surprised that there was no Ghost Partition, only a 32MB FAT Utility Partition, and the ~36GB NTFS partition. I deleted the 36GB partition, reformated, and installed XP plus the Dell 30 min banner.

Before the reformat I had 62 processes running, after the install 25 processes running. After I installed enough drivers to eliminate all "!" in Device Mgr, I had 34 processes running. Net savings, 28 processes, I believe that's the missing bloatware.

Mediadirect ran as soon as I did the repair with NO drivers installed. For whatever reason, a DVD will not autostart, even though it's supposed to according to the MD help files. Sigh But all the front buttons work.

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Hermit

 

Awesome thread Mark

After long research I foound this thread!

My HD is 60GB. Windows sees only 49.7GB.. The rest is supposed to be hidden partition and for PC restore. The BIOS shows 58GB (I assume 2GB swallowed for formatting?) Anyways, When I go to admin tools/comp mgt/disk mgt, I see

- 49.7GB for "C" NTFS (system),
- 47MB for FAT (EISA configuration), and
- 4.36GB for FAT32 (unknown),

with all showing healthy.


Even if I add this up its only sums up to some 55GB, so I assume like said in other forums, that this is the result of the difference between, what 1GB means to the OS versus harddisk manufacturers.

After reading this thread, I assume there is another hidden partition(4th one), that is not even visible in the XP.

Now my issue:

I spent lot of time cleaning out all the Dell bloatware already.

I want to wipe out that hidden partition along with PC restore/recovery. Can I simply delete that fat32 4.36GB partition from XP disk mgmt? If I do that will it wipe out that space and add 4.36GB to my main C drive partition?

I dont want that PC Restore, but want to have the MediaDirect function available and get that additional 4.36GB on my C.

thanks

This is Inspiron laptop E1505..

 

You cannot delete the partition and "add" the unallocated space it to the "C:" partition without reinstalling Windows. You can delete the restore partition and it shouldn't cause tooo many problems, however the 47MB is the Dell diagnostics and I recomend leaving that alone for the reason stated below


To Mark: First of all nice thread, this will really help some people out. There was ome thing you didn't bring up in your post. I read in another thread on Mediadirect that it checks for an inactive partition at the front of the HD when it boots. By default this partition is the Diagnostics partition (though it doesn't matter as long as it's an inactive partition at the front of the drive) and that's why MD doesn't work when you delete it. This is one reason why everyone recommends leaving that partittion alone if you do a reinstall.

I can post a link to the thread once I fid it.

 

With special Thanks to Dan Goodell!!!

The instructions in this guide apply to MediaDirect 2.0

Note: I've tried these a couple of times, but you never know.... So proceed cautiously especially if you have something on your comupter you don't want to loose.... If anyone has 'trouble', is confused by the post, or has revisions/additions, please let me know so I can fix this thread as needed....

Thanks


Mark

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

MediaDirect 2.0 Repair Overview

On Dell's more recent laptops [E1505/6400, E1705/9400] there is a new implementation of MediaDirect. This newer version 2.0 allows the user to launch the Dell/Cyberlink MediaDirect 2.0 application from a power OFF condition. The MediaDirect application itself resides in special 'reserved' space on the hard drive call a host-protected area [HPA]. The HPA is accessed by special Dell boot code which is run whenever the computer is powered-on and the hard disk is accessed.

Whenever Windows is reinstalled a critical portion of the Dell boot code is overwritten and replaced by Microsoft boot code. This is what effectively 'breaks' MediaDirect.

The steps you would follow to repair MediaDirect vary depending on what changes you may have made to the hard drive partitions during the Windows reinstallation.

 

'Short Repair

If you...

Did NOT delete the 40mb Dell Utility partition,
Did [or did not] delete the Dell System Restore partition,
Reinstalled Windows over the original system partition

You can use the MediaDirect 2.0 Repair Utility [R113024 MediaDirect_Repair_A03] from Dell Support (under Applications on Drivers and Downloads). The file you receive/extract will contain a CD iso image. You 'burn' this iso file to a blank CD [ ISORecorder can be used for this task].

Another option is to contact Dell and request the Dell Resource CD [aka Drivers and Utility CD] for your specific model laptop. The MediaDirect 2.0 Repair utility should be on the Resource CD in the MD2 directory.

Note: [6 May 06] There is a newer version R121517 MediaDirect_Repair A05. This thread may not accurately reflect this newer version

The MediaDirect Repair utility will re-insert the Dell boot code back where it belongs on your hard drive.

- Launch Windows; place the MediaDirect Repair CD or Dell Resource CD in the tray; and then use the Start Menu to perform a system Restart

- At appearance of Dell logo 'splash' screen press F12 to do a 1-time boot

- Using the up/down arrows select the CD/DVD entry and press the Enter key

- The next screen will prompt you to....

" Press a key to start from the CD/DVD...."​

Next screen will be... [Note- this screen will not appear if you're using the Repair download]

Choice.....Action
1............Run the 32 Bit Dell Diagnostics
Q...........Quit without any action (Return to DOS) key

Press the Q key​

- At the prompt, type cd md2 and press Enter key

- Type Repair and press Enter key

- Use the left/right arrow key to select OK and press Enter key

- When the Done message appears, Remove the CD

- Press the Power button to turn OFF the computer

 

'Long' Repair Using R113024 MediaDirect Repair rev A03

Note: If you intend to use the newer R121517 MediaDirect_Repair A05 do NOT use these steps. View/follow the separate post for that specific version. Although Rev A03 is no longer available for download, I'll leave this post up just in case....

These steps are needed if you deleted the Dell Utility [~40MB] partition during Windows Reinstallation....

A. Overview: In addition to re-writing the Dell Boot code to the hard drive, you must also get the hard drive Partition Table into a MediaDirect 'friendly' configuration. The Dell boot code is very particular about the configuration of the Partition Table and will not run properly if certain changes are made.

WARNING.... The following guide is based on the assumption you deleted all partitions during the Windows reinstallation. Even though these steps are fairly tolerant of multiple partitions, it may or may not work. If your computer is in some other configuration, you're own your own... I would recommend that you get whatever partition changes you plan on performing done before doing your MediaDirect 'work'.

B. What you'll need....

• Head.zip
• PTEDIT.zip [DOS Version]

C. Create a DOS Boot Device

1. You'll need to create a CD or USB Flash drive which will allow you to boot to DOS. Place the DOS version of the Partition Table Editor [ptedit.exe] on the device.

2. Here's a couple of resources if you need them...

Bay Wolf Flash Drive Info

Bart's Way Boot CD​

D. Creating a 'Backup' [The steps in this section are 'optional', but not a bad idea]

1. Extract the head.zip file and put MBRUtil.exe in the root "C" directory of your hard drive. [Delete the WipeTrk.exe and Wipetrkd.exe files as those are VERY dangerous utilities to have laying around. If you accidentally run them, they WILL cause serious problems.]

2. From Windows; Start Menu; Run; Enter mbrutil /sh=track0

That's mbrutil space /sh=track0

3. Now in your root directory you should see the track0 file; Copy this file to a location other than your laptop hard drive. This is your 'emergency' backup in case something goes 'bad'. If you did need to recover, you'd use the DOS utility, MBRUtilD.exe with the switch specified in the ReadMe.txt file contained in the original zip file.​

E. Perform the 'Short Repair'

As per the instructions listed HERE complete the 'Short Repair'. After the repair, remain in DOS​

F. Modifying the Partition Table

1. Use your boot device with ptedit.exe to reboot your laptop

2. From DOS run ptedit.exe

You will see four rows numbered 1-4 and multiple columns.

The Partition Table should look something like this....

DE......00......0.......1.......1.......1023....254.....63......63......21318192
00......80......0.......0.......0.......0.........0........0........0........0
00......00......0.......0.......0.......0.........0........0........0........0
00......00......0.......0.......0.......0.........0........0........0........0​

3. Very carefully copy the values from row 1 to row 2. If you have other entries in the table, you'll need to shuffle them 'down' as needed to make room.

4. Double check your values in rows 1 & 2 and make sure they are IDENTICAL.

5. Now place zeros in all columns for row 1.

6. Change the values in Slot/Row 2 columns 1 and 2 to 07 80

The Partition Table should look something like this....

00......00......0.......0.......0.......0.........0........0........0........0
07......80......0.......1.......1.......1023....254.....63......63......21318192
00......00......0.......0.......0.......0.........0........0........0........0
00......00......0.......0.......0.......0.........0........0........0........0​

6. Save your changes and close the Editor window

7. You now have your Partition Table properly configured. MediaDirect expects Row 1 to NOT hold an active partition [ 80 in column two] and also expects your active system partition to be in Row 2. As we have no partition at all in Row 1 and we moved the active system partition to Row 2 we are 'compliant' from a MediaDirect point-of-view. As long as you follow those 'rules' you should be in good shape.​

G. Remove the boot media and reboot to Windows


Caution: As was mentioned, the Partition Table configuration is critical to the correct function of MediaDirect. Any action, such as creating or deleting partitions with Windows Disk Management, will more than likely 'break' MediaDirect.

 

An expanded discussion wrt the Partition Table and MediaDirect 2.0

1. As was mentioned previously, the Dell boot code has certain 'expectations' when it comes to the configuration of the Partition Table.

It does NOT expect the partition in row 1 to be set 'active' ['80' in the Boot column]. If it is an active partition, the boot code will not launch the MediaDirect application, but instead will direct a boot to the partition specified in row 1.

What you would see when you attempt to launch MediaDirect from Power OFF is that the computer will Power ON, boot to Windows and, if you have XP MCE, it will launch Microsoft MediaCenter.

2. If the partition in row 1 is not 'active', when you press the MediaDirect button from Power OFF, the boot code will launch MediaDirect. When the boot code is run, it always makes one VERY important change to the Partition Table. It will automatically set the partition in row 2 'active'. It does not check the Partition Table to see which row actually is set active. It makes the assumption that the partition in row 2 SHOULD be the active partition and makes the change. This is not a problem if the partition in row 2 is suppose to be the active partition, but it can create a mess if the partition in either row 3 or row 4 is the REAL active partition.

Let's say you were in DOS and made some changes to your system which resulted in the partition in row 3 to be the active partition. The very next time you reboot to the hard drive, the boot code will run and set the partition in row 2 active. If the partition in row 2 holds a system partition [e.g DOS with necessary system files, Win XP, Win 98SE, etc], the computer will complete the boot into partition 2. If there is not a system partition in row 2 of the Partition Table, you'll be presented with an 'error' message. You'll be sitting there wondering why your new active partition in row 3 isn't working. It's because the boot code changed the active partition to the partition in row 2.

3. FYI-- Using Windows 'Disk Management' to add/delete partitions will make very significant and potentially unintended changes to the partition table. It is highly likely that Disk Management will reconfigure the partition table so that MediaDirect will no longer function.

4. So if anyone would like a bottom line wrt the Partition Table and MediaDirect 2.0

Make sure...

a. Row 1 of the Partition Table is empty or, if not empty, that it does NOT have an active 'flag' [80]

b. Row 2 of the Partition Table holds your primary/active system partition

If you re-read this post with that in mind, you'll better understand the recommendations/steps involved...

hth

Mark

 

Very informative, that's the basic idea I was getting at. but if you cjange the partition tables are you actually creating a partition or just tricking the computer into thinking there is a partition? So od you essentially save bit of HD space if you do the "long" repair?

 

vr

Mark

 

Yeah, I'm just going to stick with the short repair and leave the ustility partition intact and not do the other stuff/

 

I'm still trying to hack MediaDirect to work with Grub...any intel on this front?

 

With a Grub MBR in place, if I hit the MediaDirect button (power is off), i get a mediadirect splash screen, then it launches the grub Stage 2...the first partition (windows) isn't set to active (doesn't really matter for grub)...Any idea how to merge the MediaDirect code in the MBR with GRUB code?

 

Kinda funny to see your post when I was just fixing to make one myself on Boot Managers and MediaDirect 2.0

wrt Grub... No, I haven't looked at any 'solutions'.

In general though.... I think getting MediaDirect 2.0 to work in conjunction with a Boot Manager is most likely by using a MediaDirect partition and not the HPA. That way when you Power On the computer by using the MediaDirect button you will go to your boot manager and then pick the MediaDirect partition from there. A major stumbling block to using the HPA would be getting the boot manager code to 'call' the Dell boot code. Some heavy duty coding I think would be required... but that's just a guess.

Now with that nice lead in....

If you install a boot manager of some kind, there is a good likelyhood that MediaDirect 2.0 will no longer function. That is because most boot managers need to write their own unique boot code onto the hard drive. This causes the same effect as when reinstalling Windows. Important sections of the Dell boot code is overwritten and MediaDirect can no longer be launched.

FYI

Mark

 

The MediaDirect splash screen I believe is a BIOS 'thing', the first 1/2 of the Dell boot code is probably long gone....

Not specifically, but Grub would need to 'call' the extended boot code which may [or may not] be in LBA sector 3. You'd have to take a look to see if the second 1/2 of the Dell boot code is still there. Dan Goodell may have some ideas for you, but Assembly language is not my forte.

Cheers

Mark

 

I was able to get MediaDirect to work with the recovery tool, so at least I can restore the MBR and sectors after it.

Been looking at the HPA with ProDiscover (demo)...it's Windows XP Embedded.

It'd be nice to replace this with a small linux distro (like GeexBox) that could access ext3 partitions...but still be able to launch it with the MediaDirect button.

I suppose I could put GRUB into a boot sector instead of the MBR...

My partition table:
/dev/sda1 Windows
/dev/sda2 type bf, set aside for Solaris x86
/dev/sda3 DOS 7.1
/dev/sda4 Extended (type 0f IIRC)
/dev/sda5 Linux Boot
/dev/sda6 Linux LVM
/dev/sda7 Linux Swap
/dev/sda8 Shared FAT32 partition

I think the factory Windows partition is #2...I think I can put it there since it should be able to boot Solaris natively (isn't working anyway - won't install on my SATA drive). What I'm wondering is: if I put Grub in /dev/sda5's boot sector and make this partition active, will it boot? That is, if I restore the MediaDirect MBR, but replace the 64 bytes of the partition table only with my current table...will this work? I'll have to try it.

Does the Repair Utility hose the partition table or just the code part of the MBR?

 

It can under some circumstances. Best 'technique' to avoid problems is to make sure you always boot to the hard drive after using the MediaDirect button from Power OFF. The Partition Table is in a 'transitory' state while MediaDirect is running and if you don't let it 'finish' by running the boot code one more time, things can get really 'odd' in the Partition Table.

So to answer the question... No, the Partition Table should be left alone and only the boot code is changed.

hth

Mark

 

Ok..it works, mostly. It generally left my partition table alone (of course I backed the MBR sector up with dd first). It did however change my first primary to type DE (was 07 for NTFS). I tried with GRUB in the boot sector of my boot partition which was set to active. MediaDirect will set partition #2 to active and only look for boot code there (which in my case it couldn't find due the the blank Solaris partition). So I put grub in sda2...and it works! I had to change Windows partition back to type 07 (i tried to boot but I was getting autochk program not found). Now, if the PC is off, MediaDirect launches with the button. If I exit MediaDirect or start normally via power button, I get the blue Dell text mode banner across the top, then grub starts (from /dev/sda2). I can launch linux and windows as before. This might be a problem if you still have Windows in the second primary; Grub can't load it directly so it has to chainload the Windows bootloader...one way around this is to copy the Windows boot sector(s) to another unused sector (like the 2nd or 3rd) in the first cylinder, another is to save it as a bootsect.bin file (probably won't work with NTFS - not sure if you can put this bootsector file anywhere - say, in an ext3 or fat partition or if it has to be in the partition of the Windows installation you're launching). Another is to use the windows bootloader to multiboot. There's an mbr.exe in the HPA that I suspect does the work of fiddling with the MBR...maybe if I can find out how to edit the HPA i can remove or rename this so it will leave my partition table alone. Note, however, that even after setting only sda5 to active, with the Dell MBR it still tries to boot from sda2. With Solaris 10, grub can boot it directly, so no worries there (assuming I can evert get Solaris to install). So now...to find out how to edit the HPA...I was able to back up the XP Embedded installation with ProDiscover.

 

Another tidbit...the XP Embedded installation uses Windows' Hibernate feature to boot up quickly...this strategy could also be used by a Linux distro (using Suspend2 and retained memory images).

 

something similar happened to me. I have dual boot between XP and Linux with XP bootmanager to choose OSes. When I did the repair I messed up something. It would boot and give me an error message similar to HFA not recognized. It must have a problem with the Linux partition. Anyway, I had to recover the empty dummy partition and change the XP partition to NTFS, as it changed the type of that too, causing the error you describe (autochk program not found). I am back to dual boot now, however no Media Direct.

Not sure how to get this to work at this point. After repair it works but I cannot boot into XP or linux anymore.

Would it be possible to run a bootmanager, have Media Direct on it's own partition and then have the bootmanager load either XP, Linux or Media Direct? Or is it possible to show the boot manager that there is a protected hidden partition?

guess I will try that. I realize that I will have Media Direct twice, but at least working (if it works )

 

Put grub into a boot sector instead of the MBR...let Media Direct Repair place it's code in the MBR, so the Media Direct application in the HPA will work. Now, it will only look for a boot sector in the SECOND primary partition (location of the factory Windows installation). In my case, this was ok, since this was an as-yet unused Solaris partition (which Grub can directly load with a chainloader as of Sol 10 x86). IF Windows is still there, you'll have to copy the NT Bootloader sector(s) (I think it's two or three sectors) to: either some unused sectors (sectors 2-62 are normally vacant, since the partition starts on the cylinder boundary - of the second cylinder) OR into a file (like c:\bootsect.bin). However, if Windows is on an NTFS partition, I doubt Grub will be able to read the bootsector from a file. So the best bet is probably after the grub boot sector. Something like this:
Sector 0 of Primary Part 2: Grub boot sector (512 bytes)
Sectors 1-??? of Primary Part 2: Windows/NT boot sector(s) - I THINK it's 2-3 sectors long, This site has a ton of info on it: http://thestarman.pcministry.com/. He's a nice guy too, who partially disassembled the Dell MBR code for me.

One the sectors are in the right place, you have to modify the grub chainloader statement...not sure of the exact syntax.

I don't know if you can use the XP bootmanager instead of Grub...if it places anything into the MBR, it won't work. But if it lives entirely in the PBR of the Windows partition, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Never used it for dual boot, always used LILO or GRUB.

As far as running Media Direct from a boot menu, yes you could do this if it's in a partition. As far as making the HPA visible to the bootloader, I don't know how to do this yet. This is why I put the Dell MBR back with the Repair Utility.

 

Hey all,

This thread from notebookforums, provided by Pugsly0014, details a simple explanation on how to add DirectMedia 2.0 to any 9300,XPS2,M170. Basically you'll need a utility like Partition Magic to get the space you need, as well as resizing after. Hope this helps some people!

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=147474

Howie

 

thanks for all your help. I think with the trouble I have had so far, I will go with Media Direct on it's own partition and use a boot manager. I will certainly be smarter the next time I reformat my drive and set it up.

ok, I got another problem. I have 15Gb partition at the end already that I cannot resize. I therefore can only create a 2Gb between the windows and this last partition. The Media Direct therefore ****s out after 10% with an error message. Is there anyway to obtain an image of the freshly installed MD partition that one could use to put on any partition,not just the one at the end?

thanks

 

Well, I used a demo version of ProDiscover to extract the MediaDirect installation from the HPA...it's about 1.4GB..you could do the same, and copy it to a partition. The only thing missing would be a boot sector..not sure how to create that for Windows, but should be easy. I don't have a Reinstallation CD to play with.

 

Thanks for the link...great movie BTW (Army of Darkness)

 

great idea, I will do that! going to find out how to make a boot sector now. thanks again.

 

Read thru the NBF thread and there's a post or two about how to extract the MediaDirect files and install anywhere on the hard drive. There was also a link to a 'hosted' copy of MediaDirect REINSTALLATION CD...

hth

Mark

 

ok, sorry about my ignorance, but I looked around and was not able to find a post with instructions on how to get MD out of the HPA, except for 89TROOPER's instructions using ProDiscover. Would you mind pointing me in the right direction? I am glad I found your thread as it explains all the strange behavior that I've experienced so far with the repair utility.

thanks

 

Be glad to.... The post is from tentonine here

You'll probably have to make some adjustments to your boot.ini file in the MediaDirect partition.

Good luck

Mark

 

ok, so here are my problems. Apparently the biggest one is that I did not follow your instructions by the word. I was still under the impression that I needed an empty non-active partition before the xp partition. Once I deleted that I was able to get md working after using the repair utility. however then my windows didn't boot anymore. then I read your post edit that boot.ini may be a problem and that you wanted to elaborate on that later. I tried Partition magic but was not able to read the partition. it gave me an error and said bad. I then used ERD commander to boot and load the partition. I was able to change the boot.ini, which read default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS. I changed it to 2 and then everything worked. Now my question is, did something change this to 1? Not sure. My PC reads 2 and it has XP in the first partition.

anyhow. I better make it a habit and follow instructions better. thanks for all the insights.

 

Anyway... I guess you've got it working??

Cheers

Mark

 

ah, partition table changed and 1 was not valid anymore. My change to 2 then fixed it, I see.

I was not clear enough when I said my PC says 2. the boot.ini on my desktop PC reads default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS. I therefore thought that this is what it normally is set to and got the idea that something on my notebook changed it to default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS.

guess the importance is that boot.ini matches partition table and after using the repair utility that was not the case anymore.

yes, it is working now - thanks

 

after following your guide I got it to work. However, none of the partition managers will recognize the drive and give error messages that something is wrong or bad with the partition table. I cannot for example add another partition. any idea how to get around this?n Partition Magic eg says error 117, partition's drive letter cannot be identified and just quits.

 

Send me a PM with a screenshot of your Partition Table and a description of what you've done so far...

Mark

 

Nice overview. It helped me to restore Dell MediaDirect to work. Thanks.

A quick question, in addtional to Dell utility partition, I partitioned to 2 primary partition. However, MediaDirect only can access the first partition C:. Is it possible MediaDirect can access to the second partition D:?

 

Sorry... I don't know. Wouldn't surprise me if it couldn't, but I haven't worked with it that much.

Mark

 

I am having the same problem here. I am able to launch MediaDirect, but only see blue screen. MediaDirect worked fine, but I had to restore the Windows Media Center OS using the same one in the hard drive. I did not changed the partitions. I used the MediaDirect Repair Utility, prepared the boot disc, and nothing. Mine is a Dell XPS M140. We would apreciate any help or advise. Thanks.

 

Nothing what? Cannot boot with the disc? Check this thread: Question on Media Direct Repair Utility

 

I messed up with my E1505
Deleted partiions

My Table looks like this

07 80 0 1 1 1023 254 63 63 111217932
0F 00 1023 0 1 1023 254 63 111121605 3148740

Can some one help

 

MarkMcK and 89Trooper,

wanted to give you a quick update. You were right. After I made a second partition and put an image of a non-windows OS onto it, it created that into the second line of the partition table and moved my XP entry into the first line. I moved the two partition entries one up, chained the non-windows OS into the windows bootloader and voila, got all three working MD, XP and non-windows OS.

thank you both for the clear instructions. Even if I may not be using MD in the future, I definitely learned a lot on partition tables and how to fix a non-booting OS that I likely would have painfully reinstalled otherwise.

thanks again