Reinstalling MediaDirect 3

Question

I am having problems reinstalling MediaDirect 3 on my 6 month old Inspiron E1705 laptop with Windows XP Professional. I have tried 4 different Dell Technicians without luck. Each time, we tried by first reinstalling Windows XP Pro and creating partitions of anywhere from 2 GB to 20 GB in size for MediaDirect during the Windows XP reinstall. After installing XP Pro, I try to install MediaDirect and receive an installation error message that states the hard drive has not been prepared for installation. If I try to reboot with the Media Direct CD, I can either allocate all available space of the C:\ partition or specify the size of the C:\ partition. Choosing either results in an error message at the end, which causes me to have to reinstall Windows XP Pro all over again. The Dell Techs have pretty much given up, stating I can't reinstall MediaDirect. I don't buy it!! If anyone out there can help me get MediaDirect reinstalled, I'd really appreciate it! FYI, MediaDirect was uninstalled when I installed another DVD player software. I decided after I tried it that I'd rather stick with MediaDirect.   Thanks!

ToUsMiC · Answer

Hello,   For (Re)installing Dell MediaDirect 3, use next :   1 - insere DvD Dell MediaDirect 3 on CD 2 - Push F12 for booting on DvD Dell MediaDirect 3 3 - All option, choice number ' 1 ' 4 - Message is ok, eject  DvD Dell MediaDirect 3 an insére CD OS Windows XP 5 - push Enter for Restarter pc 6 - Installing  OS Windows XP  (all version or PRO / Home) 7 - After installing XP, install Drivers & Co 8 - Inserer DvD Dell MediaDirect 3 & install 9 - Eject DvD Dell MediaDirect 3 10 - Restart or Close XP 11 - Push boutom MediaDirect.   Enjoy

kirknick · Answer

Dear USMic:   Thanks for your reply and help! However, this was tried several times with no luck. After reinstalling Windows XP and all the drivers and then trying to install MediaDirect (as you outlined), I still get a message that the hard drive is not prepared. When I then boot from the MediaDirect CD and choose either option 1 or 2, another error message comes up in the text thread and I end up in a bios boot loop and am unable to reboot into Windows. The Dell Tech I last talked to said they are sending me a new laptop. 6 Dell Techs were unable to help me! They all tried what you outlined in your reply to me, but it didn't work. In the meantime, I have reintalled all my software except Media Direct and everything works fine. I'm confused but at least Dell's sending me a new machine to fix the problem.   Sincerely,   Kirk

ToUsMiC · Answer

As well better as it goes you send a new machine. Good continuation

danny927 · Answer

You have to boot to the mediadirect DVD first to prep the drive.  There are 2 options...   1-all space to C: 2-select size for C: and remainig space for D: Quit   These options will erase your entire drive and make the partitions to the choice you made above.  When the partitions are made, take out the MD dvd ane put in the windows CD.  Hit a key to reboot and then install windows over. After installing windows, you still have to install MD from the DVD in windows.   There are a few things wrong with this... First, you need to make the partitions before installing windows.  So this is absolutely useless for those of us that want to keep a current windows install.  Second, you can only have 4 partitions total. One for Dell util, C:Windows, D:Storage, and the MediaDirect partition.  Dell should have choosen a different partition type for MD.  If you try to add another partition, it will render MD useless.    I use Acronis True Image for a backup program and it stores images on a hidden partition caled Acronis Secure Zone.  I tried moving the MD partiton using Acronis Disk director and leaving 5 GB taken from D: for the Secure Zone at the end.  It was a no go.  Everything worked but I lost MD.  This is really frustrating since I already wiped the drive.  Dell also has a new restore app.  In a factory install, the restore partition is 3rd and MD is last.  Leaving just C: for storage and windows.  That stinks for those of us that partition our drives.  I am tempted to leave off MD in favor of multiple partitions.  But then, I wont be able to use it in windows either.  What a mess!!!

Windows General

Reinstalling MediaDirect 3

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