Unusual PCM2.exe Media Direct 2 error / e1505

Interesting... Haven't seen this MD 2 error before:
Just picked up a used e1505 with MCE for my wife, great shape too. MD from XP/MCE booted works fine, while MD from no-power brings up the proper MD screen, and an obtuse C++ runtime error in a dialog box:

c:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\PCM2.exe
"This application has requested the Runtime to terminate it in an unusual way. Please contact the application's support team for more information" [OK]

Note: MD does appear start properly, yet NONE OF THE MENUS WORK except Exit (Music, Pictures, Settings, etc.) Just that silly PCM2 error dialog. Yeah, I've searched NBR high/low, only one other similar error, yet unsolved.

* Deleting restoration data (MD F8) does what you expect, yet doesn't fix it.
* Booting and running the MD repair from the Utilities disk says DONE, yet doesn't fix either. MD boots already, so it's clearly a problem with the APPS in that partition.
* While I know no-boot MD doesn't run from the C: partition, I also restored the original shipped OS for grins. No matter... Still the funky PCM2.exe error.

Any clues how I can truly repair the MD image/partition, or is a clean MD Reinstall in order? I'd actually like to keep the original factory partitions for my wife -- diag/dellrestore, c, restore, MD -- especially the factory ghost image, so a full wipe is a last resort. Yes, I have a request to get the MD Restore CD/DVD from Support. Asked for MD3 (DN293), will see what they send me next week.

Clues, suggestions in the meantime? -Jack

 

It isn't with Media Direct software, but it is Media Experience. Try reinstalling Media Experience. You should have a disc which contains Dell Media Experience. This is a required program if you have XP Pro or Home.

If reinstalling that doesn't work, then try reinstalling your dvd player. Your dvd player should be Cyberlink PowerDVD.

 

Thanks... Just to confirm, this is MCE, and I thought Media Experience was only needed for plain XP systems. Even if it's IS needed, how would one reinstall ME on that particular hidden partition? Doesn't MD (when running from power-off state) access it's own files/partition, not those on the "normal" C: drive?

To be clear, does MD (when running from power-off) use any files on C? If so, why didn't my factory re-image resolve it?

 

okay, now i'm confused again.

You are right - XP MCE does not need Media Experience, yet the error is point to the Media Experience folder.

MD is a bit confusing. When your laptop turns off, it uses it's own partition to boot from. Yet it still must use your XP partition to access your files - such as music, DVD player decoder, etc. While you are in XP, MD only uses the XP Partition (as far as I know). Reason is because you have XP loaded, and you can only boot into one system at a time. When you press the MD button in XP, it sees that you are booted into XP and it just loads the standard files from XP.

So the answer to your question is yes and no. As for why the factory reimage didn't work, I'm not sure. The error points back to a file on the XP partition, so logically, it should be a problem with that file - not media Direct itself. Since this has been a problem since you got it or at least sounds like it, chances are that you need to completely reinstall it.

Personally, I would just completely start all over. Reason is because with the restore image, it is hard to tell what exactly might be going on. The file might be corrupt in the restore image so that could be causing the error. It might be some junkware that is effecting it - no telling.

For now, you are just going to have to wait for the MD 3.0 disc to arrive. Once it does, make sure to back up any necessary files, and start out with the MD 3.0 disc. If you are not comfortable with formatting or are unsure of what to do, the XP guide should be able to walk you through the steps. I can also walk you through it if needed.

Amber