nucomer, thanks for the clear instructions! Worked like a charm. I do have a few questions though.

1. Any reason to suggest creating a Primary partition in step 12 instead of a Extended or Secondary partition?

2. When I exit Media Direct I think I saw a Windows XP screen saying Saving or Shutting down. Is this normal?

3. Any idea why MediaDirect needs over a GB of space??

Thanks again!

magyk5,

The reason I instructed everyone to select primary partition for any additional drives/partitions is because it is for the purpose of making the computer dual boot possible.  If you don't want 2 operating systems on your computer, then you can select Extended/Secondary Partition.  As long as you achieved having up to 3 usable drives, then that's the ultimate goal.  For those of you who want to try it with Extended Partition, you can give it a try, too. 

Regarding MediaDirect exit screen message, that's something I've never come across.  In my opinion, all you have to do is restart your computer, put in re-installing MediaDirect CD to re-install the software, normally this would fix anything relates to MediaDirect.

As to why MediaDirect needs more than 1G of space, I really do have no clue.  Dell advises us to make it 1308MB of space; however, my method saves ourselves some hard drive space by having MediaDirect occupy only 1160 MB of space.  Even with 1160 MB, MediaDirect will still have 17% of space left unused.

 

Nucomer

Hi:
I reformatted my hard drive and I only recveived a windows xp installation cd. I do not have the reinstallation cd for window media center. Is there a way to make a cd throught dell utilities after I reinstall Window Xp MCE.
Regards,
Chang

You have to contact Dell Tech Support to inquire for a MediaDirect software CD, and that's what I did when I got my laptop (Inspiron 630m). 

Do you have the part Number for that cd, I am having a hard time for tech support, they keep referring to the OS DVD.

Here's a complete information taken from MediaDirect software CD:

On top says: Application

Middle: For Reinstalling Dell MediaDirect

On the botom: P/N YG694 Rev. A00

Tell Tech Support that this CD used for Dell Inspiron 630m and Dell Inspiron XPS M140

 

Let me know if you have any question

 

Nucomer

MediaDirect works with all Windows XP versions: Professional, Home Edition, Media Center.

Thanks:
You're the best

I loaded media direct; now when I press the front button. all isee is media direct and nothing continues even if i insert a dvd and press the play ma i missing any other software. My os is xp pro

The first time you start using MediaDirect, it takes a while for it to configure.  You have to wait till another screen comes up and follow instructions shown.  If you could see MediaDirect screen after pressing the MediaDirect button on the front of your laptop, you're doing just fine.  However, if you're worried that something is not right, you can go ahead re-install the software by restarting the computer, put MediaDirect CD in the drive and install it.  Once done, shut it down and press MediaDirect button again, wait for it to configure.  Don't rush yourself, just be patient when it's doing so.

live and learn: I corrupt some files on it and have to formatted my HD and start from scratch; nothing I haven't done in the last two week.

Thanks a million

Way to go, my friend!  I had to play around with my laptop hundreds of times before I could come up with such instructions to share with everyone, and you're one of them.  You'll learn much more when you're doing so.  Keep it up, you'll be just fine.  Let me know if you have other questions.

Hi:
I placed all my mp3 in my document, my music. i seem to loose all the media when I use Media direct. The music is still in my hard drive, but I can't access it through media direct. I tried to refresh the list but it only show 43 songs, but I know I i HAVE MORE THAN THAT in my files.
Regards

Did you try to update music database in MediaDirect?  As for my laptop, I have 3 partitions/drives, and one of them is for music and picture files.  I did not put all my media files in My Documents/My Music, so everytime I access MediaDirect, I know where to go for my picture and music files.  One thing I know is that before using any functions of MediaDirect (Music/Video/Picture/DVD) you have to set everything up.  When it comes to Music, you have to update its database.  There's an option for you to do that.  Try to do it then see how it goes.