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    Watching DVDs Without Booting

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by speedy41, Sep 14, 2006.

  1. speedy41

    speedy41 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    I just recently pulled the trigger on a Dell Latitude D820. I am really excited!

    I am just wondering if the d820 can play music and dvd's without booting up first. I can't remember if that is a function of media center, or the actual computer in question.

    Thanks!
     
    speedy41, Sep 14, 2006
    #1
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    no, it does not come with MediaDirect. only the inspiron and xps lines have this
     
    Greg, Sep 14, 2006
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  3. amnesiac345

    amnesiac345 Notebook Enthusiast

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    you can try looking at my post at this thread. uses a linux-based os to boot the ur computer in maybe like 1 minute to a media center like os. its called GeexBox. it can play mp3, view images, play dvds, vcds. its really easy to install too.

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=77241
     
    amnesiac345, Sep 14, 2006
    #3
  4. new fella

    new fella Notebook Geek

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    Thanks, Amnesiac. but it still is pretty confusing to me. Could you write a step-bystep guide for us? After going through the links I didn't even figure out where to download the GeexBox ISO from....and I'm a Linux-zero, too.
     
    new fella, Sep 15, 2006
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  5. amnesiac345

    amnesiac345 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I suggest you just boot from the liveCD after you burn the ISO since you're still new to Linux. but the post from the thread is pretty much straight forward. I take no responsibility if you somehow mess up your harddrive or windows installation.

    this is the link http://www.geexbox.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6187
    credit goes to the thread poster.

    Direct Link for Geexbox http://geexbox.org/en/downloads.html
    --> http://geexbox.gsnw.org:56431/releases/1.0/geexbox-1.0-en.i386.iso

    the red part is some steps i added for easier understanding

     
    amnesiac345, Sep 15, 2006
    #5
  6. Phillip

    Phillip Phillip J. Fry

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    I have an Inspiron. How do I watch a DVD without booting?

    ucb9999
     
    Phillip, Sep 15, 2006
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  7. new fella

    new fella Notebook Geek

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    Thank you, amnesiac, I finally achieved it!!! Took me couple of tries: messed up the first one so asked a colleague who knows some Linux.
     
    new fella, Sep 19, 2006
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  8. KGann

    KGann NBR Themesong Writer

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    How does this software work? This "Geexbox". Does it only work with Dells? (Dumb question, I know) Is it some sort of "Media Direct" kind of thing, or what? Is it it's own little OS?

    Sorry for the loads of questions... but just curious to try this.
     
    KGann, Sep 19, 2006
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  9. nbn444

    nbn444 Notebook Geek

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    "I have an Inspiron. How do I watch a DVD without booting?"

    In stead of hitting the power button, hit the 'Media Direct' button. Mine is on the very front of the laptop.

    Actually, I think mine starts Media Direct automatically when I put a DVD in? I will have to check next time, but the above method definitely works.
     
    nbn444, Sep 27, 2006
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  10. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    can someone who has done this do a comparison on battery life between this method and ripping the dvd to your hd?
     
    drumfu, Sep 27, 2006
    #10