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    Using the Media Direct buttons while in Windows XP

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Radz108, Mar 5, 2006.

  1. Radz108

    Radz108 Newbie

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    Hi. I'm new to this forum and anxiously awaiting the arrival of my 9400 :) I have a quick question. I do plan to reformat my drive and delete all the partitions. I know this will remove the Media Direct functionality while the computer is off. But once windows xp is loaded, will I have functionality of the buttons? By reloading quickset and media experience, will the buttons work in windows xp without having to reinstall media direct. I plan to use the notebook as my main photoediting computer and the Media Direct feature is not very important to me, but I hate having "useles" buttons on my notebook. Also, would quickset allow me to change the software or functionality of the buttons while in windows xp? Sorry for so many questions :)

    RG
     
    Radz108, Mar 5, 2006
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  2. zerowind

    zerowind Notebook Geek

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    I believe SouthernGirl's post on reinstalling a clean version of XP will help you with this issue...
     
    zerowind, Mar 5, 2006
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  3. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    Welcome to the forums,

    The media buttons are not dependent on any software, so you don't have to install anything extra in order for them to work. Windows Media Player recognizes the media keys automatically, so you don't have to change anything. If you want to use Winamp or iTunes, you'll have to configure either of those programs.

    Quickset is more of a power management tool. It allows you to change profiles quickly (ie battery maximize vs. performance maximize) but it does control some of the FN keys as well as it has the popup boxes for volume and brightness.

    I think the BIOS controls the media keys, but there is no way to configure them. Media Direct is only good if you don't want to boot into XP to watch a dvd or don't want to have to start software manually.
    SG
     
    Amber, Mar 5, 2006
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  4. Radz108

    Radz108 Newbie

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    Thanks for the quicl reply. That's exactly what I needed to know. So the buttons will work regardless if media direct is loaded or not as long as you are in wondows xp.
     
    Radz108, Mar 6, 2006
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  5. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    yep, exactly. If you like to use Winamp, you need to enable the hotkeys in preferences in Winamp. In iTunes, there is a plugin.
     
    Amber, Mar 6, 2006
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  6. Faire

    Faire Notebook Consultant

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    You can watch DVD's and listen Audio CD's without boot Windows XP with those keys ? I guess you're talking about the keys SouthernGirl got as signature?
     
    Faire, Mar 6, 2006
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  7. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    The newer Inspiron models can support watching dvds and playing music without booting into windows, but that only applies to the E1705 and 1505 at the moment. The 9300/6000 doesn't support that feature.

    Yes, those are the keys that Rad was asking about.
     
    Amber, Mar 6, 2006
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