MediaDirect Resintallation CD for E1705?

LOL - I hear you. What about Dell Media Experience it says somewhere I read of all these posts that you have to have that installed - what cd is that on - so many cds my head is spinning. Maybe if this works for you you can again post the exact instructions that worked to have a single partition only with media direct working.

 

I am so sorry guys,

I just saw a tread where it is stated by DonnaB that Partition 1 (47MB) is for the Dell Utility Partition and not the one containing the MediaDirect Files. According to her, Dell MediaDirect and Dell PC restore both are located in Partition 3.

Oh man...this is so confusing with so much conflicting information.

All, I want to do is to wipe my laptop of all the bloatware, reinstall a fresh copy of OS, and repair MediaDirect using the one found at the download site WITHOUT requiring the fabled MediaDirect reinstall CD..

I really wish there was a definitive guide how to go about doing this process without so much nuclear physics involved!

 

well i have 2 theories:

1) it is hidden in the smaller partition (40mb)
2.) could be completely hidden partition that nobody is seeing

Most users on some of the other forums seem to have no problems if they deleted all of the partitions except for the smaller one. Once the reinstalled windows, they ran the repair utility off of the disk.

I kind of question the part about why you don't reinstall Media Direct, but it could very well be hidden in the smaller partition or just hidden altogether.

To answer some of your questions, yes that is the reason why you don't have to create a 1308mb partition or 8mb partition as some guides suggest.

 

During my test (after cloning the whole hard-drive):
- MediaDirect will still work if the first hidden (the Diagnostic Utility partition) is deleted. PC Restore partition is intact. XP system is out-of-the box.
- MediaDirect will NOT work if the PC Restore partition is deleted but you can run the Repair Utility for MediaDirect.
- MediaDirect will work when I merged the 7.8MB unallocated space to another visible partition and I deleted the Diagnostic Utility partition (the small and first partition).
- MediaDirect will NOT work when I deleted all hidden partitions. Repair Utility failed to fix the MediaDirect. The only way to make it work again is to partition the drive for OS then leave 1308MB partition as unallocated. After installing XP, device drivers, quickset then I proceed in installing MediaDirect software. It succeed in locating the unallocated partition so the installation of MediaDirect is successful. The button works while notebook is off but button DID not work while in Windows because Media Experience is not installed (note: XP Media Center Edition users, they do not need Media Experience software). I cannot install Media Experience software if I don't have .NET Framework by Microsoft so I installed .NET Framework then I installed Media Experience, the MediaDirect button works now while in Windows.
- MediaDirect installation will FAIL if the user will create 2 partitions using the XP CD even though the user reserved 130MB unallocated space. For some reasons, the only method that I find it to work is this:
---- Delete the partitions
---- Create partition for the OS only
---- If the user want to have extra partition for storage purposes, DO NOT create a partition for it using the XP CD. Just leave it as unpartition. Example: The total Hard-drive is 100GB. Partition 1 is 40GB for the OS. There will be 59.xGB unallocated space and then 7.8MB or 8MB that was created by Windows. Leave it as that.
---- Proceed in installing XP, device drivers, and quickset.
---- Open Computer Management then create the Storage space partition using the Disk Management software from there. In the above example, there is 59.xGB as unallocated. The user will create the storage space about 57.xGB. Reserving 1308MB for MediaDirect.
--- After creating that storage partition using Disk Management of Windows, format the new local drive (the storage space) by opening My Computer>Right click the D drive then proceed with NTFS, quick format.
---- Proceed in installing Dell MediaDirect software. Turn off the sytem. Test the button while notebook is off.
---- To make the button works while in WIndows, install .NET Framework then install Media Experience software.

 

On this subject, If anyone could upload the MediaDirect 2.0 software it would be much appreiciated.

I recently received my 630m and reformatted but alas, no disks. I am now overseas so i cant even ask Dell to send it to me.

 

Hi,
Try this. Download MediaDirect v1.0 from their site
Then download the upgrade/patch of MediaDirect so the above version will be upgraded to v2.x

MediaDirect v1.0 was released on March 17, 2005. Filename is R95248.EXE.
MediaDirect patch/upgrade to v2.0 was released on Dec. 1, 2005. Filename is R113403.EXE.

See if that will help you install and get the v2.0
What I have is v2.2.3225 in i630m

 

Okay, my replacement 9400 arrived today (first one's lcd screen died). I've got my coffee in front of me, I've got the following disks from dell:

1. XP Pro SP2
2. Dell Inspiron System Software
3. Dell MediaDirect 2.0
4. Dell MediaDirect 2.0 Repair CD
5. Dell Tools System Software (do i need this?)

Is Dell Media Experience on any of these CD's as a separate program or is it part of MediaDirect?

 

I keep reading this thread over and over and there really is conflicting information in here or at the least it remains unclear. According to the very last post with complete info on how to do this by Donna (Post #104) it would seem that I can delete all the partitions. Create one big new partition for the full drive size minus 1308mb. (end result of 1 big partion for the os and 1308mb unpartitioned for mediadirect)

Install the OS
Install the dell system software (you have to do this before the drivers)
Install the device drivers
Install quickset
Install MediaDirect 2.0
Install Microsoft .Net Framework
Install Dell Media Experience

And from what I understand, that should do it. Just don't know where to find the Dell Media Experience as per my previous post.

 

Yes, your plan should do it.
Visible Partition is your OS
Unallocated 1308MB for MediaDirect.

I don't think you can download the Media Experience application. I'm not sure but after I log-in into my account at Dell Support, ME software isn't listed. You need to ask Dell to ship it to you.

The other steps that I mentioned is for users who plan to have extra storage space.

Is this the Resource CD (AKA Drivers and Utilities CD)? If so, yes, before a user can install the device drivers, the resource CD will install Dell Resource in the system first

 

Yes in on the "For Reinstalling Dell Inspiron and XPS System Software" CD. I can't remember the menu name but its in the far left menu option when you install this cd (weird how you have to install this to use it, it doesn't just install from the cd). Dell System Software it's called. You have to install this and reboot before installing the drivers (which you can install without restarting each time).

I found this much out from dell rebuilding my wife's 9400. We opted to wait and make my 9400 the test machine on how to get mediadirect working and when i figure it out on mine then I will fix hers.

 

So to get this straight for everyone you need to have Dell send you BOTH the MediaDirect Installation CD and the Dell Media Experience CD? Does someone actually have these 2 separate cd's to verify this? (not talking about the mediadirect repair cd).

If this laptop didn't have the friggin big MediaDirect button inviting to be pushed and hard to ignore I could care less about this feature. It's so annoying that's this is so hard to do and that dell doesn't send you without asking all the cd's you need.

 

OK. That's the one. I just look into the 6 CDs that I received from them and yes, it is named "For Reinstalling Dell Inspiron and XPS System Software", right below "Drivers and Utilities". Yes, I find it funny that it quickly installs itself. No option to cancel the installation. I guess, it is because it is showing us a UI to browse for the system plus it is detecting which devices are available so it will pre-select the items for the users (with checked mark).

Yes, it is separate CDs
Here is what I received out-of-the-box:
- Drivers and Utilities: For Reinstalling Dell Inspiron and XPS System Software
- Operating System: Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP w/ SP2
- 4 Application CDs:
-- For Reinstalling CyberLink PowerDVD 5.5
-- For Reinstalling Sonic DigitalMedia v.7 LE and MyDVD 6.11 LE
-- For Reinstalling Dell Media Experience 3.0.1 Basic Version
-- For Reinstalling Dell MediaDirect (this is v2.2.3225)

I agree.. it's cool feature in a notebook. I love the fact that I can browse, listen and view media files without booting to Windows. We can also listen to music while the lid is close.
Not sure why Dell in your location didn't send you the CDs. Here in Asia, 6 CDs is included in the box

 

From everything I have read, the service is much better outside of N. America. Ships faster and with everything you need to Asia and Europe.

I didn't get the 6th cd for Dell Media Experience 3.0 Basic.

 

It seems according to this:

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=87097&highlight=mediadirect+dmx.exe

that you can re-assign what program is assigned to the mediadirect button to be winamp or media player or what ever. This refers to "holding the play button down" so must be referencing laptops without the mediadirect button but I wonder if the same couldn't be done on our 9400 so that within windows it would open Windows Media Player (my preference) instead of Dell Media Experience and when turned off, would use mediadirect? Would I even need to install media experience then or do i need it still for it to work using the mediadirect button when turned off.

Do you follow?

 

I've seen the same trick posted in Dell Forums. Some users changed it to launch iTunes, Winamp and yes, WMP but there is some issue (where some buttons will not work with the assigned program) but then some didn't lose hope. One developer created a plugin for iTunes to work for MediaDirect thingy. It's called Multi-Plugin 2.2 For iTunes 6 and I found it posted in Dell Forums which is linked to http://www.aqua-soft.org/board/showthread.php?t=29035

However, I haven't try any of those tricks as I'm happy with Media Experience software. Maybe I'll try today to see if it'll work. This notebook is leaving me anyway.

Ah.. hopefully they'll change and imitate the shipping service of Dell in Asia and Europe. Also they should imitate the way the Dell Asia installs the software. Dell in Asia, don't install junkware. Only junk that I've seen here is the trial version of Norton Internet Security and Webcybercoach v3.2 (by Gtek Technology and seems needed if user want to keep Dell Support software).

I think the Media Experience is free so I suggest to order from them.

 

Forgot to answer the question LOL
I have no idea yet whether Media Experience is required. Maybe no need as long as you have the launcher file which is the dmx.exe

BTW, here's the thread in Dell Forums about this media software assignment for MediaDirect button:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_mediaexp&message.id=2696

 

Okay......the saga continues.

I got my laptop, played with everything about a week ago, including media direct. So over the weekend I wipe everything clean, all partitions I can see, to give me one big drive. Then I decide to check this thread. Doh!!!

So I install xp media center and everything thinking without the MD reinstallation cd I'm thinking I'm screwed.

So yesterday Monday I called Dell for the CDs, and they sent everything, EXCEPT Dell reinstallation CD. So I'm still pissed, and say screw it I'll install Dell Media Experience on it and see if that works.

So I do that, reboot with the REPAIR cd and perform the repair. Reboot with MD button, and it freaking works!

Now........what has me intrigued (sp) is that when I loaded Media Direct it still had my settings from the first few days I played with my E1705, BEFORE totally wiping out everything, included songs that I downloaded into the playlist, BEFORE wiping everything clean.

This lead me to believe that MD is in RAM, or hard drive somewhere hidden, otherwise why would it remember my playlist? Then I check my numbers (never occured to me before) that when I wiped everything off of the HD, with no partitions, my one big drive I have about 55GB from a 60GB HD, is that right? I know you never get the full 60GB, but about 5GB off?

So I have no idea what worked here. Was it the dell media experience? The MD repair cd? Weird!

 

Goodness gracious.

Well I was wondering about my disk size too. I went with the 80gb drive. I'm formatting as I type this (different computer of course). I deleted all the partitions and it says the disk size is 74882mb. I created a partition for 73571 and am about to install xp on that main partition. Weird.

I'll keep you posted on my build progress (81% formatting). Without the Dell Media Experience CD the best I can hope for is it works from turned off only until I get that cd from dell unless I can reconfigure the button to use WMP(sounds sketchy though).

 

That's great to know! I posted in another topic that making MD work again is tricky. One of the moderator here also noticed that some users need to run repair utility CD while for me and others, repair utility didn't work.
MD works like a glue LOL

Thanks for sharing your MD-experience :-D

 

Also, maybe more investigation needs to be done, but on the dell document about repair/reinstall MD, it says you only need to reinstall MD if you're putting in a new hard drive.

Is that because it's hidden on the drive that they send you? And no matter what you do, it's still there, in my case, somewhere in the 5GB with computer is reserving that I can't see? I mean, it remembered my playlist for goodness sake! No way a total clean wipe could retain that info.

 

All I know for now is the MediaDirect is installed by default together in the Dell PC Restore by Symantec in the hidden partition.
Did you deleted that hidden Restore partition? If not, then my test is true to other Dell notebook also that has MediaDirect.
If a user will not delete the PC Restore partition (hidden partition), MediaDirect will work (without a need to reinstall).

 

I deleted every partition that I could find, but this was in windows xp boot disk. So maybe there is one there that windows xp cannot see. It showed me three partitions like everyone else. One big one (50GB), the restore partition (5GB), and the third one (47MB), and I deleted all three.

From my calculations, that is still 5GB short of 60GB, but I know that there is some space reserved automatically, but is it 5GB worth? Or something else hidden there?

 

I have PartitionMagic by Symantec which should see all types of partition.
It is showing the same # of partition that the XP boot disk will display.
The 7.8MB or 8MB is the one you are referring that is automatically created by XP Boot disk.
Strange. I'll take another look now with my notebook and start calculating again the partition size :-D

 

Well something is going on. I deleted every partition so xp setup only showed unpartitioned space. I made one partition and left 1310mb unpartitioned. NTFS Full Format on the partition I made. Installed the 0S. When the laptop starts up now it gives me a "choice" of which os I want to boot up with. Both choices are Windows XP Pro. The first one in the list works and boots to my install of xp but if I select the second one it gives me an error that it can't find the install blah blah blah.

So as I deleted everything so it was all unpartitioned how can there be two os choices like this?

Now what do I do? Can I remove reference to this unbootable os somewhere? Is this going to cause me problems of any sort? What did I do wrong here? (i've done a hundred os installs - I'm an IT professional)

 

you need to edit your boot.ini file. I have the directions on how to do that in the Reformat Sticky.

it didn't install two systems. You only have one system installed.

 

Well I edited the load boot .ini file (or something) from the Startup and Recovery options and removed the second entry of available os's and it seems to boot fine now. I still wonder how it thought there were 2 os's though.

 

Thanks SG. Why did it list 2 os to begin with???

 

It has to do something with the partitions and reformatting. I'm not sure if when you are reformatting it just writes in the new operating system line.

I've never really seen an in-depth explanation on it.

 

I also believe that The MediaDirect reinstallation cd software is ONLY necessary for a NEW hard drive. I have the Dell Inspiron E1705/9400. I deleted all partitions using the Windows XP setup program. I DID NOT created any partitions after doing that. I just left the entire disk as unformatted. I then pressed F3 to quit the setup. Then I putted the MediaDirect Repair cd into the drive and booted the laptop with that cd. I then typed cd md2 then repair and it showed DONE!. I turned off the pc, and pressed the MediaDirect button. AND WOW!!! The MediaDirect loaded up and everything was working. I played a DVD and it showed. The audio also worked. The volume buttons worked.
After that, I loaded up the Windows XP OS setup installation and it showed some partitions that were automatically created after running the MediaDirect Repair cd. BUT I cannot install windows without reformatting one of the partitions. If I do, MediaDirect will not work after Windows is installed. This is the problem that need's to be solved.
There is a solution to make windows and mediadirect work, but doing it, you will not be able to browse you internal hard drive for pictures and videos etc... But you can play DVD’s and search external USB hard drive when connected to you laptop.

Here are the steps.
TO BOOT WITH THE CD/DVD DRIVE,..when pc is started, click F12 and select the CD Drive.

1) Boot your pc with the Windows XP OS CD. When in Windows OS installation, in Windows OS partition selection screen, delete all partitions (don’t do this if you have the original partitions when you got your pc)...only do this is you already formatted your drive before and MediaDirect is not working anymore.)
2) Now create FIRST!!!!!!!!!!! an 8 Meg bytes partition...and do not format It., then create your windows OS partition with the remaining space.
YOU should have now, first an 8 Meg partition (FIRST!!!)
Then your OS partition (second after the 8 meg and the OS parition will be the biggest)
And then a 7.8 or 8 more unallocated space left (not a partition but space remaining depending in the size of your OS you created)
3) Now, quit the Windows OS setup by pressing F3 and then hold the power off button on you laptop.
4) Put the MediaDirect Repair cd into the drive and boot your pc with it. Type cd md2 then repair. When it shows DONE! After you click ok to repair. Put your Windows XP OS cd into the drive and boot you laptop with it.
5) At the partition selections, delete you OS partition you created (the second one, the biggest) and then recreate it.
6) Now choose that partition to install windows xp os. Choose Quick Format with NTFS file system .
7) When Windows is done installing and you have loaded into your Windows XP desktop screen, shutdown your pc by clicking Start-Turn Off Computer-Shutdown.
8) Put your MediaDirect Repair cd into the drive and boot your pc with it. Then type cd md2 then repair and ok for repair. When it shows DONE! take the cd off the drive and turn off your pc.
9) Now MediaDirect button will work and your Windows XP os will also work. But doing this way, when you are in MediaDirect program, you can't browse you C: drive (OS drive) for pictures or videos. You can play DVD’s and search other external USB drives.


SO, my conclusion is that MediaDirect is in the hard drive. IT CAN'T be deleted , even if you formatted the hard drive. So, if you buy a new hard drive, then you need the reinstallation cd to install it. But if you have the original shipped drive, MEDIADIRECT in already in it. Hidden or something. The only problem is, we need to resolve the browsing internal drive for pics and vids. We need to right guide to make everything work like it should. The above steps are a walkaround on getting the mediadirect working...but not the right way.

 

Haven't encounter that myself but it happened to many users already. There are different caused - it's reinstallation method, upgrade install and/or the disk was inserted again. Not sure what happened during your installation of OS but it can always be fixed in the boot.ini like what you did. One of it is just a setup but not actually installed.

 

Cool. This is more interesting. The notebook is a player without an OS.
Maybe it's because you did not format? The Dell MBR is still intact?
The Dell MBR is working only if there is a blue bar at the top while notebook is booting.

 

Yes, i reformatted the entire disk. deleted all the partitions. then used the MediaDirect repair cd and MediaDirect aplication worked. It's all in the writing that a wrote. Got to read it all.

 

Hi,

Ive deleted all partitions and created a sigle partition for windows leaving 1310mb unallocated for media direct.
I installed windows and all drivers and utilities. I then installed mediadirect and it used the unallocated space and created its self a partition installing all its stuff in there. It then prompted me to press enter and then turn off my system and start with the mediadirect button . I pressed mediadirect button and i got the first splash screen and the the blue screen of death "your computer has been stopped to prevent damage"
Im not sure where to go from here, Mediadirect has never worked on this machine from new. But i rang dell and they gave me the 6 cd's.

Any help would be appreciated.

thanks
doughy

 

the same thing happenned to me. There is a walkround but you will not be able to browse you internal hardrive if using this method. the only workable method right now. I hope DELL or someone comes up with the right one.

Here are the steps.
TO BOOT WITH THE CD/DVD DRIVE,..when pc is started, click F12 and select the CD Drive.

1) Boot your pc with the Windows XP OS CD. When in Windows OS installation, in Windows OS partition selection screen, delete all partitions (don’t do this if you have the original partitions when you got your pc)...only do this is you already formatted your drive before and MediaDirect is not working anymore.)
2) Now create FIRST!!!!!!!!!!! an 8 Meg bytes partition...and do not format It., then create your windows OS partition with the remaining space.
YOU should have now, first an 8 Meg partition (FIRST!!!)
Then your OS partition (second after the 8 meg and the OS parition will be the biggest)
And then a 7.8 or 8 more unallocated space left (not a partition but space remaining depending in the size of your OS you created)
3) Now, quit the Windows OS setup by pressing F3 and then hold the power off button on you laptop.
4) Put the MediaDirect Repair cd into the drive and boot your pc with it. Type cd md2 then repair. When it shows DONE! After you click ok to repair. Put your Windows XP OS cd into the drive and boot you laptop with it.
5) At the partition selections, delete you OS partition you created (the second one, the biggest) and then recreate it.
6) Now choose that partition to install windows xp os. Choose Quick Format with NTFS file system .
7) When Windows is done installing and you have loaded into your Windows XP desktop screen, shutdown your pc by clicking Start-Turn Off Computer-Shutdown.
8) Put your MediaDirect Repair cd into the drive and boot your pc with it. Then type cd md2 then repair and ok for repair. When it shows DONE! take the cd off the drive and turn off your pc.
9) Now MediaDirect button will work and your Windows XP os will also work. But doing this way, when you are in MediaDirect program, you can't browse you C: drive (OS drive) for pictures or videos. You can play DVD’s and search other external USB drives.

 

I did read what you wrote
You wrote:

Deleting partition only without formatting does not clear every data. As per your message, you deleted but did not create a partition then you leave the disks as unformatted. This means there are datas on the disk that is not totally wiped. That is maybe the reason that MediaDirect is still on the drive somewhere

 

Well im not going to re-install again ive done that to much lately, but when i get more time i will give it a go.
Its a pity this thing is such a pain in the ar*e

cheers
doughy

 

scuse me i have reinstalled media direct and dell media experience 3 but when note is off and i push media direct button the not load first xp and then media experience.how to load only media experience without load windows xp.please help!!!!!!

 

I suggest to try to repair the MediaDirect first to see if that will do some trick.
The Repair utility for MediaDirect is in the Drivers and Utilities CD or Repair Utility CD or you can download it from Dell.
Go here for the instruction on how to use the repair utility.

 

i have made this but with no results.media direct button works and i can search in the hard drive but when the note is off and o try to push media direct button the sistem load windows desktop and then media experience

 

That means you need to reinstall MediaDirect. As you can see in this long topic, there are guides on how to fix it but fixing MediaDirect button requires reinstallation of Windows - after - creating partition for OS and reserving 1308MB space for MediaDirect.

You may call Dell Tech Support but they'll probably say the same. Repair or Reinstall.

 

i have made what you have said and now i heve to reformat the computer

 

Why are you showing angry icon? I don't recall responding to you posts before or giving you a specific instruction? You follow the advise in this topic posted by many.. that should be done at your end at your own risk. All posts are based from own experiences by users or tests by users.

 

ok ok i also want to reformat the hard disk but there is a working method to reinstall dell media direct, dell media experience and expecially how i can press media direct button and lunch only media experience and not windows xp followed by media experience

 

Try this:

---- Delete the partitions
---- Create partition for the Windows only. Make sure to leave 1308MB of unallocated space for MediaDirect
---- Proceed in installing XP (it will format your the drive before installation), device drivers, and quickset.
---- Proceed in installing Dell MediaDirect software. Turn off the sytem. Test the MediaDirect button while notebook is off.
---- To make the button works while in Windows, install .NET Framework by Microsoft then install Media Experience software.

The above worked for me. If it will not work for you, you may try the guide by robjbw (see his post in this topic).
If nothing will help, call Dell Tech support and let them fix it for you

 

what note you have???
i have 9400 and when i have installed media direct in this way it doesn't work(blue screen).i have repaired with utility cd and then media direct works but booting only windows

 

Earlier I suggested to you to use Repair Utility CD (see post #138). You said, you did repair but no result.

Anyhoo... it is good to know it is now working.

 

well crap. I just tried installed the mediadirect, didn't work until I ran the mediadirect boot disk/repair program and thought all was well as mediadirect worked from turned off but now, windows does not boot, i get the blue screen every one is talking about.

So now what. How do I fix this or do I just have to bite the bullet and reinstall windows all over again?

I've had it with the ^$#^& mediadirect #&%)* now. Dell can take mediadirect and shove it you know where. Bunch of crap. So pissed off.

 

I've got the same problem you had now. What utility cd are you talking about that you used to fix the blue screen and what program on it and how did you do it?

 

Well what exactly did you do Flames?

 

Exactly This:

1. deleted all partitions
2. created os partition minus 1310mb which i left unpartitioned
3. installed os
4. installed system software, drivers and quickset
5. installed mediadirect 2.0
6. turned off and tried the mediadirect button. Blue screen.
7. booted up the repair cd and ran the mediadirect repair program. Shut down.
8. tried the mediadirect button. It worked fine. Quit out of mediadirect and windows failed to load - blue screen.
9. from turned off tried the power button - same blue screen.

And here I sit wondering what to do now....?