New method: How to install Dell MediaDirect with Multiple partitions

I have 2g partition for media direct; do I need to move the music files to the media direct partitions? when i Scan the music files not all the music files are scan into my media direct.
Regards

in that case, I only have c drive. how can I import my music to my Media direct.
Thanks for your help :-}

MediaDirect partition should never be touched!  It is only for MediaDirect software installation.  Besides, MediaDirect partition is unlettered so you can never moved any file to it.  What I need to know from you is how many drives/partitions your computer has (like C, D, E or and so on).  For example: my computer has 3 drives: C, D, E.  The main drive is C.  It is where Windows XP is stalled.  D and E drives are for storage.  MediaDirect partition is unlettered and won't be shown. 

Like I already said, MediaDirect is just a software that lets you enjoy some of its function such as Music/Video/Picture/DVD.  You cannot import or export anything with it.  By default, MediaDirect will detect all mulitmedia files by locating them in My Documents folder.  In that folder, there'll be My Music, My Pictures, My Video and many other folders.  If you put all your music files into My Music folder, picture files in My Pictures folder, video files in My Video folder... then when accessing MediaDirect, you'll be able to see them.  For music files, you have to update music database by going to Music function then Settings, in there you select Update database.  After updating music database, you'll be able to listen to all your music files.

Hey nucomer,

I have not been able to use MediaDirect on my i630m to access the 5-in-1 media card reader.  When I place my SD card in the slot, MediaDirect does not see it and when I pull out the card, my Documents with pictures disappears from MediaDirect and I can't access it again unless I shut down MediaDirect and restart it.

I don't know if we all are able to access memory card from MediaDirect or not.  After reading your message, I gave my laptop a try and got no luck.  MediaDirect won't see memory card.  The only thing it can see is all drives on my laptop (C,D, E, CD ROM). 

To run repair utility for MediaDirect, you have to use Drivers CD.  Boot your laptop from CD using Drivers CD after pressing F12.  However, you have to be careful with this.  If you don't have an unlettered partition in front of your C drive, it will damage system's master boot record.  Take my advise: re-install MediaDirect, this will normally fix any problem associated with MediaDirect function.  Repair is the last thing you should do.

My MediaDirect doesn't seem to work anymore. All i get is the Dell MediaDirect screen and thats it.

Can it be because I moved My Documents to another drive?

My HDD is setup the following way:

C: Primary Partition (Boot)
D: Extended Partition
E: DVD-Burner
-: MediaDirect Partition

If I ever corrupted my OS and had to re-install, and I just deleted C: and recreated that partition again, will it mess up MediaDirect? It not very flexible it seems and less and less worth the hassle to me now.

And I experimented with MediaDirect Partition Repair utility. It did mess up the MBR such that I couldn't delete the partitions from Windows Setup. I had to re-install Windows, goto Disk Management and then remove the partitions. What a waste of time and an eye-opening experience. :-)

The reason for DVD playing in MediaDirect to be frozen might be because of its settings.  It happened to me once and I fixed it by changing the settings of DVD in MediaDirect.  All you have to do is run MediaDirect, go to DVD - Setting - Video.  In there you'll have 2 options:

1. Select hardware accelerator
2. Enable Eagle Vision

Try to change between the two options above to see which one will work.  As for me, some DVD's dont work with hardware accelerator, some work with Eagle Vision.  So, give it a shot and see how it goes for  you.

Good luck

 

Message Edited by i8000_coastal on 03-31-2006 04:52 AM

Alrighty...

I read your take on reformating the drive for multiple partitions, but what I want is just one partition (Including the hidden one for Media Direct) So All I really need to do is #1 Format, #2 Partition (Not the whole thing - leaving room for MediaDirect), #3 Install Windows, #4 Install Media Direct (Which occupies the hidden space)... And I think that should be it right?

Would this work?

As with Dell instructions, you can only create a maximum of 3 partitions in addition to the unpartitioned one used for MediaDirect, and they're absolutely right about this.  However, instead of reserving an unpartitioned space of 1308 MB for MediaDirect, you DO NOT have to do as they advise you to.  This very point causes all the trouble for all of us who want to create multiple partitions using Windows built-in partition tools.  By unlocking the mystery of 1308 MB unpartitioned space, I have solved the problem.  Since I wanna make it easy for everyone to understand, my instructions seem a little long.  Following is step-by-step instructions:

1. As always, you have to boot your laptop with Windows XP CD by pressing F12, select boot from CD
2. Follow instructions on screen to get to install a fresh copy of Windows by pressing ESC, then F8
3. Delete all partitions already there
4. Create the new first partition (C drive).  Every individual has their own needs, some wants it large, some wants it average...etc.  So create however large as you want to.  I myself created a 20 gig C drive.
5. Leave the remaining unpartitioned space untouched
6. Press Enter , select Quick Format with NTFS file system
7. When Windows installation completes, remove Windows XP CD
8. Put in Reinstalling Dell MediaDirect CD, press Enter to begin installation, when installation finishes, press Enter to end, remove CD
9. Go back to desktop, right click My Computer, click Manage, click Disk Management
10. Now you will notice that there's an unused or unpartitioned space right in between C drive and the unlettered partition where MediaDirect was just installed on. 
11. Now you can create an additional partition/drive with that space by right clicking on that space, click New Partition, select Primary Partition or Logical Partition, click Format, then select however much space you want for this second drive for your laptop, select Quick Format, give this drive a name if you want to. 
12. REMEMBER: DO NOT EVER MESS WITH THE LAST UNLETTERED PARTITION OF YOUR COMPUTER BECAUSE IT IS WHERE DELL MEDIADIRECT IS INSTALLED.   LEAVE IT ALONE!
13. Voila, after step 12, you have successfully done things that you dream of doing all along (3 partitions/drives and MediaDirect).  However, it's not done yet.  As for my system Inpiron 630m, there's a software update for MediaDirect to be downloaded and installed.  For other system with MediaDirect feature, I think you should do it, too, because in my opinion Dell MediaDirect feature is the same for all system.  So I suggest you all do it by following step 15 below.
14. Open My Computer, double click C drive, double click Dell folder, create a new folder and name it MediaDirect.  Go to this link to download and save a file called Dell MediaDirect DayLight Saving Patch to the folder just created : http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&releaseid=R113403&SystemID=XPS_M140&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=11910&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=1&formatcnt=1&fileid=148815
15. Next thing is installation of all device drivers and softwares, don't forget to install updates from Microsoft by clicking on Windows Updates.  When done, you can start updating MediaDirect and using it.  Go to step 16 below
16. Shut Down your laptop, press MediaDirect button, wait for MediaDirect to configure itself
17. Click General, click Update MediaDirect, now MediaDirect will automatically update itself with the file download in step 15.  Once the update is done, your laptop will shut itself down.  Press MediaDirect button again and setup all the functions in there to your likings. 
18. Enjoy yourself.

 

 Nucomer