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New method: How to install Dell MediaDirect with Multiple partitions
Hi everyone,
I posted instructions on how to install Dell MediaDirect while successully create multiple partitions on Dell laptops with MediaDirect feature. As some of you shared your thoughts and knowledge about my instructions, and I admit that they're somehow lengthy and complicated. Well, at least that's all I could come up with after many nights expermenting with my new Dell Inspiron 630m. Today I bring good news to all of you, and that's a much better way to create multiple partitions and install MediaDirect. As soon as I figured out of this method, I immediately share it with everyone. Here it goes:
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- 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:
- As always, you have to boot your laptop with Windows XP CD by pressing F12, select boot from CD
- Follow instructions on screen to get to install a fresh copy of Windows by pressing ESC, then F8
- Delete all partitions already there
- 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.
- Leave the remaining unpartitioned space untouched
- Press Enter , select Quick Format with NTFS file system
- When Windows installation completes, remove Windows XP CD
- Put in Reinstalling Dell MediaDirect CD, press Enter to begin installation, when installation finishes, press Enter to end, remove CD
- Go back to desktop, right click My Computer, click Manage, click Disk Management
- 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.
- Now you can create 2 more partitions or 2 more drives with that space by right clicking on that space, click New Partition, select Primary 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.
- When the second partition/drive is created, you can continue to create the third or last possible partition/drive with the remaining space for your computer by doing the exact same steps as number 11 above.
- REMEMBER: DO NOT EVER MESS WITH THE LAST UNLETTERED PARTITION OF YOUR COMPUTER BECAUSE IT IS WHERE DELL MEDIADIRECT IS INSTALLED. LEAVE IT ALONE!
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- Shut Down your laptop, press MediaDirect button, wait for MediaDirect to configure itself
- 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.
- Enjoy yourself.
I hope all of you will enjoy this as much as I do. Let me know if you guys have any question. Good luck
Numcomer
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
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
- Hey:Thanks for the info; I was finally able to talk to a real person. He is senting me the media direct and sonic burning cd and power dvd. I am posting all the part numbers as soon as i get them so anyone who may need it won't have this problem. Do you know if Media direct work with windows XP Professional?Regards
magyk5
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Posted March 1st, 2006 16:00
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!