e1405 - XP corruption (help!)

Hey everyone!

I purchased my e1405 about 2 months ago. I left the default partitions in tact but shrunk the XP partition and installed Ubuntu Linux. Both operating systems have been working flawlessly for 2 months.

The other day, when I booted up, it said something about Media Direct (maybe I hit the MD button?) and then gave me a blue screen of death:

I didn't change any hardware or software. Now I can't boot into Windows at all. I can't boot from the Windows installation CD either - same blue screen every time.

My problem is very similar to this post.

All of the hardware diagnostics come back clean. I tried booting with pretty much everything in the BIOS disabled, only Dell's ram, no optical drive, etc. . I called Dell and they had me repeat everything I already tried, then blamed it on Linux and said I should reformat my entire harddrive.

Ubuntu still works great though. I can view all of my Windows partitions from Ubuntu. One thing I find strange is that Ubuntu is showing 2 identical media direct partitions. Has anyone ever seen this before???

I think I'm going to wait for my Visa CD and then reformat my non-Linux partitions.

Questions: should I wipe out the Dell Restore and Media Direct partitions? They seem like they just cause problems. Does anyone use media direct? Is it really worth it?

Also, if anyone has any suggestions for repairing XP in the meantime, I'd truly appreciate it.

 

Do you have recovery CD's, if you do I think you can erase them, but remember, if the recovery CD's get damaged the windows which you have paid for will be lost forever.
I think re-installing will do the trick.And BTW did you upgrade/reinstall any of your drivers.Because I know that some Driver's might cause funny problems.
Anyway, the problem can be anything, from minor HDD damage to just some of the lovely self-destructive acts of windows.

 

Thanks for the reply. I do have the recovery CDs. I can't boot to the Windows reinstall CD though (that's how bad Windows is corrupted). I'm hoping once I wipe out all Windows/Dell related partitions that I can boot to the Vista install CD (otherwise I'm screwed!).

I think you're right about the Windows self-destruction. Although I'm leaning towards blaming Media Direct. I never even knew about it until it popped up during bootup and Windows has been damaged ever since.

I didn't modify any drivers. I did install the K-lite codec pack the day before this happened.

 

Codecs can affect the drivers.I think this thing is the guilty.Try some of the Partition Managers in the guide in my sig.

 

Thanks again. I think I'm going to use GParted and reformat only the Windows XP partition from Linux first. Then I'll try to boot from the Windows XP CD. If it still doesn't work, I'll reformat the Media Direct partitions. If that doesn't work, I'll probably have to wipe out the entire drive including Linux.

 

Hi, I had exactly the same problem. I deleted the Media Direct partition and it booted up fine.

 

Hello

I am using Dell e1405 laptop. i reinstalled the windows in my laptop. Alfter installing the Windows i am unable to access Media Direct Buttons and all other dell related software and Audigy Audio Driver. When i buyed the laptop i am able to use all the options and media direct buttons also. But after reinstallation of windows i can able to use all the options. Unfortunately i lost my resources CD but i have Audigy drivers CD when i tried to Activate by internet its not activating. please give me a solution.

My Service tag No : H6RHMB1

Its warranty period completed.

Thank you