Go for it (download the patch)...in my case, also with an E1505 upgraded from XP to Vista, when I tried to start MediaDirect with the computer off and pressing the button, I got a MediaDirect splash screen and then a blue screen. After I downloaded the patch, MediaDirect would start. Supposedly the patch was for another issue but that's what happened for me.

I get an error message saying that I need the power cinema program. Would downloading the latest quickset work?

Do you have those files?

I upgraded

Which Disk? I only got a sound blaster disk, an AOL disk, and a Word Perfect Disk. I guess I did not get a media direct disk.

No.I have no MediaDirect folder under the Dell folder on the C: drive.

Were you looking in C:\Program Files\Dell?

If you don't have MediaDirect there, maybe you could reinstall it from the disk that came with the computer.

hmmm....I doubt if QuickSet is relevant....Looking in C:\Program Files\Dell\MediaDirect, I see two executables with the MediaDirect brown house icon. One is MDirect.exe which is the CyberLink PowerCinema Main Program. The other is PCMService.exe which is the CyberLink PowerCinema Resident Program. They have apparently been there since my computer was built. I upgraded to Vista (not a "clean install" or a "non-destructive clean install" ) Did you upgrade, or did you clean install Vista?

I was looking through my manual on my computer and it says "Dell QuickSet is necessary for Dell MediaDirect to function. Changing or disabling QuickSet’s default settings can limit Dell MediaDirect’s functionality. For more information about Dell QuickSet, see "Dell™ QuickSet"

I received MediaDirect CD with the computer in December.
If I were you, I would try to download QuickSet.
If that doesn't help, then start a new thread with a title that includes "Dell-Bill B".
I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. Good luck.