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    directmedia button

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by random, Mar 30, 2006.

  1. random

    random Notebook Enthusiast

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    does anyone know the actual mechanism behind the directmedia button? i am specifically thinking of the e1505 but i assume it is the same as any other. i am wondering about implementing it for a more graceful dual boot system (aka directmedia button = xp, power button = linux).
     
    random, Mar 30, 2006
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  2. Lochan

    Lochan Notebook Enthusiast

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    anyone can post an answer here? It is an interesting question.
     
    Lochan, Apr 1, 2006
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  3. Shulato

    Shulato Notebook Enthusiast

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    I dont have answer for OP's question but Im curious on how sensitive the button should be? I notice about my direct media button, I have to apply a bit more force and hold it for about 3 seconds to turn it on. Is this also the same with your button? (or mine defective?) It's compeletely the opposite with the power button, I only need to press it gently for one second to boot to XP screen.
     
    Shulato, Apr 1, 2006
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  4. 89TROOPER

    89TROOPER Notebook Enthusiast

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    It could be done in theory...the DM button launches (with the Dell MBR installed) an XP Embedded installation (about 1.4GB) from the Host Protected Area. You'd have to be able to access this area, and place a GRUB boot sector there that immediately launched a Linux installation (timeout=0) (doesn't have to be in that "partition" - could be anywhere). The power button press starts (again with the factory MBR) whatever boot sector is in the first sector of the second primary partition (Windows in your case), so that would just start the Windows bootloader. You'd lose the media direct function, but you could install it (or a Linux media-player distro) to another partition. I haven't tested this, and I'm currently trying to find tools to customize the HPA, but it should work ;)

    Edit: I guess I had your request backwards. The other way (DM button = windows) probably would be tougher since the Windows bootloader isn't as nice as Grub.
     
    89TROOPER, May 3, 2006
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