MediaDirect Resintallation CD for E1705?

Okay, When I recieved my Windows Media Edition 2005 software cd from dell, I went ahead and formated my hard drive and deleted the MediaDirect partition and restore partition. The computer is fine and working. But now, when I press the MediaDirect button when the laptop is off, it boots up windows instead of Dell MediaDirect. The cd's that dell shipped to me do not contain the MediaDirect Resintallation software. I chatted with dell, and the guy didn't even know what whas a MediaDirect button so I just exit the chat. I went to Dells E1705 Drivers and Download section and it did not contain the MediaDirect software. So I tried the Inspiron 6000 section and they had it. So, I download it and tried to run the setup, but it gave me a message "setup cannot run in this machine". Can anyone help me with this? How do I get the software for my E1705 laptop? Please help me if you can. Thanks.

 

Dell has told me that it is on the Apps CD which should come to me wednesday or thursday and I'll be able to update you.....I've had this same problem WHATEVER YOU DO....DO NOT RUN MediaDirect Repair Utility....It will ruin your partitions etc and you will not be able to boot and have to reinstall Windows. The Dell tech I spoke to also told me that I only had the trial version of MediaDirect 2.0 because I did not pay for it and this confused me.....MediaDirect is a standard feature on the 9400 isn't it?

 

If you got the MCE disk, then you should have gotten several other disks. One of them should be called applications, and I believe it has MediaDirect on it. It is also listed under applications on the 9300, but i'm not sure if that will install or not since you are on dual core. There might be a different MediaDirect for the 9400.

With MCE, i'm not really sure how dell had it set up, but i know with mine, i was able to install it on the same partition with windows. I have to have quickset installed and running in order for it to work, but once you push the play button it loads up MediaDirect.

 

The 9300 MediaDirect does NOT work on the 9400/E1705. I've already travelled down that road. MediaDirect on the 9400/E1705 is an application that allows you to play DVD's, Music, Pictures, etc. without completely booting into Windows. I believe that is why they told me it is 2.0. I looked around Dell's site a little bit for information to better explain it to you but I cannot find any yet. It is similar to HP's QuickPlay if you've heard of that. It has to be installed on its own partition of at least 1308MB and hopefully it is really on the Apps CD.

 

Yeah, that's what i was figuring would be the case. Alot of users have said that it is on a spare partition, but I wasn't sure if it was because of MCE or 9400. Gives us an update if you figure it out.

SG

 

Will do!
Hopefully those CD's will make it here Wednesday but I doubt it!

 

Hey guys. I did get those cd's with the device drivers and aplication softwares. But it did not include the MediaDirect 2.0 software. The only thing it included was the MediaDirect Repair utility. And when I used, i could use MediaDirect without having to boot windows up, but it destroyed/reformated/made my drive not bootable my hard drive. So, windows and all the local drive was deleted/not bootable. Maybe you guys will be getter more cd's, but the ones I got was: 1)Windows OEM CD, 2)Aplication cd, 3) Drivers and Utilities (but none of these cds had MediaDirect). If anyone get the the MediaDirect cd for E1705, please keep us informed.

 

Thanks everyone, I was waiting on some kind of info on this issue. From what I've heard/gathered from the dell website/ads, MediaDirect is almost like a separate linux partition (in this case it's a small windows partition). If you have XP Home or Pro, pressing it within windows will open the dell media player thingy, pressing it within windows MCE will start MCE. With the computer off, it starts this other partition with basic drivers to allow you to use your HD, DVD, Cards with media.

I guess the word is still out on how you actually get this partition back, or IF you can get it back without resorting to the dell restored "bloatware" partitions. Anyone able to use the MediaDirect repair to restore that partition, and then do a fresh install of windows on the remaining partition (which may be unlikely, if you say it can't boot from it)?

How about this: Can you remove/reformat all the partitions EXCEPT the MediaDirect one, and still have it working once you have the quickset installed once again on the fresh windows? Or is the MediaDirect partition somehow linked to the windows one, and deleting either of them screws up MediaDirect beyond repair?

I want to do a clean install of MCE, but am holding off until this issue is re(solved)

robjw, I got the same CD's as you.

 

If you download the Media Direct REPAIR Utility and decompress there is PDf file that provides instructions for both a REPAIR and a REINSTALLATION. For a Reinstallation you need

1) To prepare the hard disk by having a 1308 MB unpartition space

2) Have the Media Direct Reinstallation CD (not the Repair CD)

The instructions lead you to beleive you can easily install MediaDirect, provided a 1308 MB unpartitioned area exists on the boot disc.

I'm been trying to get the Media Direct Reinstallation CD. My first attempt resulted in Dell sending e a bunch of discs, but none of which included the MediaDirect Reinstallation application (I did get the Cyberlink DVD player, however).

A Dell tech on a subsequent chat session claimed the Reinstallation application is on a CD labelled "DELL Installed Applications Back up Disc", which of course I did not have.

Dell is sending me this disc. I will see if it really includes the MediaDirect Reinstallation application.

Yes the Dell techs seem cueless about this Reinstallation CD, and love to point you the the Repair Ultity on the webiste, which is a different animal.

 

Just received Dell's 2nd attempt to get me the MediaDirect Reinstallation CD. They got it wrong again!

After 45-minute chat session I think the Tech finaly found (and is shipping) the correct CD.

Part # DH371 - "Dell Media Direct 2.0 Reinstall CD With Techsheet" This matches what someone else was told above. Hopefully the Dell part # will help others avoid the runaround in trying to get this CD. Again, the only reason to need this is if you blew away the MediaDirect partition (or you are replacing the factory hard disk). To you are doing a clean reformat, just leave this MediaDirect (nominally 1308MB) partition alone.

 

A lot of work/extra space needed for a silly feature, don't you think? These e1705's boot up so fast anyway...

I guess I just naive and don't really see the point.

 

thanks rtbond. I chatted with dell and requested the part # you gave and they are sending it to me. I just hope they are the right cd's. I'll inform all of you when i get the cd's.

 

The reason why MediaDirect 2.0 for E1705 laptop is a great feature is because you dont need to boot your laptop into windows to play dvd/listen to music or view photos. Yes, booting Windows in the E1705 is fast, but the battery dies faster cause all the background softs + windows are now draining the battery. MediaDirect feature is a must have.

 

I don't have E1705 but I'm wondering why Dell in your location did not ship all necessary CDs when you received your notebook. Over here in Asia, I received all the CDs. It's included in the box:
- Application CD: For Reinstalling MediaDirect
- Application CD: For Reinstalling Dell Media Experience 3.0.1 Basic Version Software
- Application CD: For Reinstalling Sonic DigitalMedia v.7 LE and MyDVD 6.11 LE Software
- Application CD: For Reinstalling CyberLink PowerDVD 5.5 Software
- Drivers and Utilities CD: For Reinstalling Dell Inspiron and XPS System Software (this one includes the Repair Utility CD of MediaDirect)
- Operating System CD: Reinstallation CD of XP Home SP2 edition

I don't have to chat to them and request for any CD. I guess, different location of Dell has different way in processing orders.

Anyway, once you receive the right CD (MediaDirect Reinstallation CD), you can install it again so you can enjoy the functionality of MediaDirect in your notebook
Note that it will be installed in another partition. Not in the partition where your system is installed. You'll run the installation in Windows then it will locate the unallocated partition. It requires unallocated partition. So you better ready your drive to have small unallocated partition, if not, it will fail to install. The tech support should guide you in installing it if you receive any error.

If you're still have the days for the satisfaction policy.. you can demand to replace the notebook with new one or request to put back everything in factory state.
But it depends on Dell support or location of Dell again I think.

Over here in Asia, a friend of mine deleted the hidden partition. He thought it is wasting the space and useless. He later realized that he need PC Restore, Dell Utility and MediaDirect function. He call Dell Support and requested to them to put back the system in its original state. They grant his request because the satisfaction policy is still active.

 

I got my 9400 Monday and reformatted it. My drive had 3 partitions. The large one, one that was about 3.5 gigs and small one of about 50 megs with no drive letter. My system did of course have mediadirect. I wiped the restore partition and of course the big one but not the third one. Does that mean I have the Media Direct still on my system? The button no longer works, which im not surprised but how can I fix it? I would love to avoid having to have the darn Media Direct CD sent to me. I definately want this app back though, it's nicer than I thought it would be.

 

Hi ZeonStar,

Try to use MediaDirect Repair Utility. It's in the Drivers and Utilities CD.
Place the CD in your optical drive. Reboot the system. Press F12 as soon as Dell log appears. Select to boot to CD then quickly press Q
At the prompt, type cd \MD2 then press enter
Whent he Done message appears, remove the CD from the drive and press the power button to turn off the computer.

Try to press your MediaDirect button to see if the fix process succeed. If not, you need to reinstall MediaDirect using the Reinstallation CD for MediaDirect.

Since your notebook is new and If I were you, try to call Dell and tell them that you didn't realized that wiping the said partition will disable the functionality of MediaDirect button.

 

Does my system even have the Dell media direct though? Thats what Im wondering. I dont have a partition with that 1308 amount I have seen mentioned above. I had the main big one 70 gigs I think it was, and one for about 3.5 which I assumed was the restore partition. Could mediadirect of been on one of those? if so... it's gone and I think the repair would only make things worse. I dont want to format again. I mean I JUST did it.

I did get the reinstallation/divers CD and Windows XP disc and a disc for some word software but I did not get the media direct CD as far as I know. Unless it's on the driver CD... which I doubt?

 

Yes, your notebook has MediaDirect. That's what it says in Dell website. Check your quotation to verify. If MediaDirect is listed then you have it.

You're right. It's not in the drivers CD. It's a separate CD.

 

BTW, go to to Dell Drivers and Downloads page. Enter your service tag and then type MediaDirect. For my notebook i630m and service tag, I can download the MediaDirect application (it's 38MB). Not sure if they offer the download for your i9400 notebook and service tag but it's worth to try. At least you don't need to wait (if you requested the CD) long.

 

I actually meant do I have it as in is it still on my system or did I wipe it off with one of those partitions.

Donna, where did you go to find it for download? I can't find a section for application downloads.

 

The MediaDirect repair utility is available for the 9400 on the download page...The Re-Install application is not available for 9400 on the download page....The MediaDirect application that can be downloaded from the 9300, 630m, etc is the wrong version and cannot be installed on the 9400, it will not install. The MediaDirect on the 9400 is apparently 2.0 and no one at Dell really knows how this works and how to reinstall it. The last person I talked to told me it was only a trial and I would have had to pay for the full version upon ordering it....It wasn't an option! They told me that it should be on the Apps CD and i'm waiting for it to arrive....I've heard that it is not on the CD but will try tomorrow when it arrives!

 

MediaDirect is not installed in your system but installed in another partition. When you wiped one of the partition, you lost the MediaDirect functionality.

Note: Quickset is required for MediaDirect to function as per Dell. Media Experience software is also needed.

Go to http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx?~ck=mn
Enter your service tag then you'll see "Download Seach" in the navigation bar. Type MediaDirect. See if they will offer for your i9400. If not, you can only request a CD

 

My MediaDirect application in i630m is v2.0 also.

 

You are probally right about MediaDirect application in i630m is v2.0. So, it should also work on E1704. But dell drivers page for i630 also does not have the software :-(. Whats going on with dell and not shipping the softs that our computer needs to operate???

 

They don't ship the software because of costs. They figure they can save money by putting it on the web.

Has anyone figured out which partition has the mediadirect? It surely can't be the restore partition.

 

After having many a CDs mailed to me from Dell, they sent me the correct CD Dell Media Direct Reinstallation CD, P/N YG694.

Packing slip showed this information:

Item #: DH371 Kit,Software,Dell Media Direct,REPAIR,West

 

This actually worked to reinstall mediadirect on a 9400/E1705?

 

Not sure why the Dell in your country or location did that. Here in Asia, every CD that we need for the customized or non-customized orders is shipped with all necessary CDs.

Anyway, this post in Dell forums has direct link to download MediaDirect application (note: do not download the repair utility. Just download the MediaDirect application). I say, try to use it and see how it goes.

 

Hi,

MediaDirect is originally installed in the hidden partition where PC Restore is installed.

MediaDirect is unusable if any of the items below is true:
- If the hidden partition is deleted, MediaDirect button will no longer launch the Media Experience properly. In some cases, the button will load Windows (the system) instead of Media Experience software.
- If the Media Experience software has been removed or corrupted (Depending on the system state when it was first shipped. Earlier buyers do not have Media Experience. It loads different player)
- If Dell Quickset is removed or corrupted. Dell website stated that MediaDirect relies with Quickset.

The troubleshooting page for MediaDirect:

Dell troubleshooting page (support wizard) on MediaDirect will ask the user to make sure the Dell Quickset is installed. If re-installing Quickset will not solve the issue with MediaDirect, the troubleshooting area will ask to locate Media Experience software. If the MediaDirect button will still not function, MediaDirect repair utility is next to use. That is possible to use if the user did not reformat or delete the hidden partition that contains the PC Restore and MediaDirect.

The manual have a clear notice about MediaDirect:
"You cannot reinstall Dell MediaDirect if you voluntary reformat the harddrive"
and
"Do not change the way your hard drive is partitioned unless you are confiden of you are doing"

What will happen is user need to repartition the harddrive and then assign an unallocated space for MediaDirect. The manual says 1308MB is needed.

The troubleshooting page will even ask the user, in some cases, to reinstall everything including the OS. Depending on how the user voluntary wiped things.

Hope the above helps

 

I'm not sure the "Dell Media Experience" is required for the MediaDirect function to work (never seen this in writing), but Dell QuickSet is. Note, however, in order for the reinstallation to work you need at least 1308 MB of unpartitioned disc space on your boot drive (where MediaDirect can live).

The 38 MB downloaded MediaDirect application that I found when doing a search appears to be Media Direct v1.1, A01 and not MediaDirect v2.0. I'd avoid this download if you are a E1705 user. Order the MediaDirect v2.0 Reinstallation CD instead (Dell Item # DH371), should you have blown away that partition.

 

Visit the Support Wizard page in Dell for MediaDirect and you'll see that part of the troubleshooting page will ask the user to locate MediaDirect
First, the troubleshooting will ask the user to verify whether Quickset is installed.
Next, it will ask the user verify whether Media Experience is installed. Note: Depending on what media software is installed. Some are using Media Experience while others are using XP Media Center application.

That's bad. They should upload the latest version v2.0 instead of serving the v1.1

 

Well I ran the MediaDirect Reinstallation program from the CD received from Dell. This took about 20 minutes, but completed normally. To get the MediaDirect button to function inside of Windows XP, I needed to install the Dell Media Experience software (I had the Dell Quickset utility also installed).

The MediaDirect button still would not work when the E1705 was powered off (received an initial splash screen, but nothing else). I then downloaded the MediaDirect Repair utility, created the CD, booted and ran the repair. The Repair appear to compete.

The MediaDirect button now worked when the E1705 was powered off, and I could play a DVD. Yeah!

But ... now the laptop will not boot Windows XP, producing this error:

Loading PBR for descriptor 2 ... done

Bad PBR signature


Any ideas! HELP!

 

As I said on the first page of this thread......read above!

 

So did you ever reach a resolution to the problem? If so, please sure the details.

 

It sounds like your master boot record is damage. I did some searching on dell's website.

Try this. You'll need your Dell Drivers & Utilities CD.

1. Insert the CD and reboot
2. Press F12 and select Boot from Cd
3. At the prompt, select Q, press Enter
4. At the next prompt, cd /md2 and press enter
5. Type Repair when "done" shows.

I haven't tried this method, so you might want to do this on your own risk. If you need more information about creating partitions with Dell MediaDirect, this thread has instructions.

 

I am waiting on CD's from Dell that they claim will fix it. The method SoutherGirl lists is the incorrect method for REINSTALLING MediaDirect. This is what gives the error when you try to boot your machine. DO NOT DO THAT METHOD IF YOU HAVE DELETED THE MEDIADIRECT PARTITION. You need to wait on a proved method from Dell. We just need to keep harping on them to get this done.


The thread SouthernGirl has linked to looks like there is a good possibility it'll work but I don't have the CD's to test it out yet. I suggest using Norton Ghost or a similar program to back up your C: Drive. I have done this now to prevent reinstalling windows all of the time. ...anyways yeah it works great so do it!

 

The directions I posted were to repair your masterboot record! I didn't mention anything about using it to install media direct, so calm down. I've spent all day searching this issue, trying to find a solution for it, and you yelling at me and the other users isn't going to make the solution any better.

The method in the link was given by someone that actually did that in order to install dell mediadirect partition, and the XP partition.

The thing about the partitions and the repair utility is that you have to repair the master boot record. Using the Dell Apps disk, you can repair it.

 

Thanks SG, but I think the 5 steps you provided tries to repair the MediaDirect, and not the Master Boot Record. I tried it. The \MD2 refers to MediaDirect 2.0.

So, I have a busted Windows XP MBR, apparently the result of running the MediaDirect Repair Utility after I reinstalled Media Direct. (although not becuase of your directions, I did that on my own!)

Any insights into trying to repair the MBR?

--Rob

 

Can you get into XP at all?

I'm not sure if the method I stated will repair the MBR or not. That has been suggested in a few posts. I'm still looking around trying to find it.

 

SG: This link seems to be related to someone wanting to add another data partition to their hard drive, in addition to the OS partition and the MediaDirect partition.

This seems different than the clean install scenario we are facing.

 

I think he is doing both -- doing a clean install and creating another data partition. Which you don't have to create another data partition, unless you are wanting to.

If you read through the long steps, the user does do a clean install. He just doesn't give you directions on how to do it. It is step #7 and 8.

I'm still searching through websites, trying to find a solution for ya. Sorry for all of this mess.

 

I'm sorry SG I didn't mean to "yell" at you or the others. I meant that to be a warning of not using that method because it'll break the MBR and that will cause more problems. I also am looking for the solution and have been for the past 3 days. I've been on the phone to Dell for many hours and have not had any luck. I know that yelling at someone and not doing anything will not get anyone anywhere. I again apologize for making you feel this way and will continue to work on this problem and hopefully we can find a solution!

 

Its okay bigmo.

K, i have two possible solution to at least let you back into windows.
first is to repair windows (takes about an hour, but it won't delete any your files, so you don't need to worry about back). If you aren't sure how to repair windows, this has good instructions http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

Second is to use an emergency boot disk and use it. I can't gurantee it, but you might be able to use an emergency boot disk created from another computer.
Here is an article on how to do it: http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,112479,00.asp

SG

 

Wow, it seems alot of people are having problem with reinstalling MediaDirect on a fresh drive! I definately know all of the frustration you guys are going through. Dell sent me disk after disk and telling me that I needed to BUY Dell Media Experience 3.0 to get MediaDirect button to work! LOL.

In the end, I used Partition Magic to create the 1308MB partition and ran the MediaDirect Reinstallation CD, then once I configured MediaDirect, I ran the repair utility and all worked well.

So keep up the good work SG and others, hopefully someone brings this to Dell's attention so they can make this process alot more simpler.

 

I gave up trying to repair the Windows MBR (didn't try the two suggestions provided). I bit the bullet for another Windows XP installation, but this time tried to follow the steps you pointed to here.

There are steps in these instructions that are not clear as to what they are doing but I pretty much followed them. In the initial partitioning, in did leave 1308 MB unpartitioned, although this is not mentioned on the instructions (only a tangential mentioned to this in the postscript of the instructions)

I'm not sure what there was in these instructions that worked. I skip the step which creates another data partition from within Windows, as this seemed totally unrelated.

So with these instructions have you run the MediaDirect Repair utility from the Device Driver/Diagnostic CD BEFORE installing Windows XP, then again has you run it a second time after Windows XP is installed AND the MediaDirect application is Reinstalled. Previously running the MediaDirect Repair program with Windows XP installed was corrupting the Windows XP master boot record, but not this time.

Still need a better understanding of what's happening here, but it seems I'm in business (fingers crossed).

--Rob

 

I've been rereading that thread over and over again all day, and i agree that he doesn't explain what all is going on very cleary (but hey at least we know it works now, hopefully).

This is my take on what you did: The smaller partition is your boot partition for Media direct. While it installs on the windows partition, it probably has to have it's own partition in order to run without windows.

As for the repair utility, from the way the instructions are, it sounds like you have to run the repair utility for your smaller partition first. Then you install windows and mediadirect, and you have to run the repair for the actual mediadirect.

The only thing that i can see that was messing all of us up is that we didn't have a boot partition for media direct. So when you run the repair utility it might have been thinking that the XP partition (for those of you who only had 1 partition) was the boot partition.

That's just how i'm understanding it.

 

Okay guys, I found the solution!!!!! to repair the MediaDirect feature that will launch while your laptop is off!!! if you reformated the drive. But this steps below requires you to reformat the drive and reinstall windows os again.
It took me many days and night to get this solution. I thought that you need the full version Mediadirect 2.0 from dell. But you dont. I guess mediadirect 2.0 is in the E1705 ram, not the hard drive. The MediaDirect Reinstalltion cd is if you buy a new hard drive. Then you need to use the software. Please make sure that you have all the cd's required below (1,2,3) and have all the laptop drivers. If you dont have the cd, request it from dell or download all the drivers from dell.com and put them into a cd-r or dvd-r.

This "little" guide is for Dell Inspiron E1705, to get the MediaDirect feature!!!

What you will need:

1) Windows Xp software. (if you did not ask dell for it, request it from Dell)
2) MediaDirect Repair CD (You can download the iso at dell.com and make your own bootable cd)
3) Parition Magic 8 bootable cd ( I guess you have to buy it, or find a way to get one..sorry, can't help you with this one)



A) First, reboot your pc will Windows XP sofware and under partition selection in windows setup program, delete them all. don't format them.
B) After that, take off the windows xp cd out of your drive and put the Partition Magic bootable cd.
Boot laptop with the Partiton Magic 8 boot cd.
C) In Partition Magic manager, make sure that all partition are deleted. So, it should say unllocated space(should only be that, if others show, delete them). Now, choose create partition, at the table that appears,put these settings(make sure to create this partition first!): space: 1308 megbytes - select Primary partition, Also choose Unformatted and choose Drive letter:C. Click ok to create.
D) Now choose the remaining unllocated space and click create again. The table will appear again and put this setting for that: choose: Primary parition, choose NTFS, and choose to have NO Drive Letter! for size, just have the remaining space in there. Then click ok to create. The click APPLY. Now Parition Manger should create those 2 parition. The first one with 1308+ size with drive letter C: and the Other NTFS(the remaining space with no drive letter), both are primary partitons.

When done restart the pc with MediaDirect Repair bootable cd.
E) when MediaDirect repair cd is booted in dos, type cd/md2 and then type repair. Choose yes. It should show DONE!

F) Now reboot the pc with Windows XP setup cd and press ENTER when asked then F8 to agree to the agreement and choose the largest parition that should be NTFS(the big one) DO NOT FORMAT IT when you click on it. Choose the option to "Leave the current file system intact" . Now the cd is installing the OS.

G) When done installing the Os and the laptop is in windows, install all laptop device drivers. chip,Quickset,pc software etc(all these drivers should have come with the drivers cd or you can download them at dell
... reboot pc to make devices work .

H) When all devices are installed, reboot pc with The MediaDirect repair cd. and type cd/md2 then repair.

IT SHOULD ALL WORK NOW!!!! Click the MediaDirect button to test it, then restart your pc to see if goes into windows.

Sorry yall for the bad writing. Its freaking 320am now and im so tired. I just did this to my pc one hour ago. i been trying for ever since today morning. But i finally got it And I want to share with all of you guys cause i know how frustating this is to get nediadirect featre working again. GOOD NIGHT.

 

Thanks for the post with all the info. That really helps, it's all so confusing. Couple of questions:

1. I don't understand why you don't assign the main partition a drive letter (c ? At the end of your steps, is your main NTFS partition your c: drive?

2. Does anybody know what to do if you have not deleted the fat32 partitions and re-installed xp only on the main parition? All my drivers are working but even after successfully running the media direct repair program which said "done" I have the following issues: from powered off the mediadirect button briefly displays the Dell Media Direct Splash Screen and then boots into windows. From the xp desktop pushing the mediadirect button displays a prompt saying "Unable to launch Dell Media Experience. Please install the software and try again".

Now I have not, repeat not deleted the other partitions so shouldn't dell media experience still be installed on the fat32 partitions or do I have to still install the media experience from the reinstall cd (which i have)?

According to the dell techy last night, all I had to do to get it to work if I hadn't deleted the other partitons was after installing drivers, install Quickset and Power DVD. According to him I didn't need to do anything else - no repair, no reinstall of media experience. Of course that was not the case. Geez.

I'm tempted to see what happens if i insert the media direct reinstallation cd but after reading mbr boot record problems in this thread i'm scared. I guess worst case I would just blow everything away and try the above.

Thoughts?? (does this add to the confusion or what)

 

I know the tech told you install this, but did you install Quickset and PowerDVD. You have to have Quickset running also.

 

Yes, installed both of them! Quickset is running. PowerDVD runs fine from the start menu.