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Calla Lily

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243 Posts

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December 8th, 2007 13:00

[SOLVED] So confused about re-installing everything from scratch, includ. Mediadirect 2

Hi,
I'm trying to find the exact procedure for re-installing everything from scratch on my hard drive which came with my laptop last year.  I have Inspiron 640M, and I found a technical support article: ID# 293360, How to use dell Media Reinstallation CD to install Dell Mediadirect 2.0 in Windows XP.  Indeed, I have Mediadirect 2, plus Windows XP Home edition SP2. 
 
I want to wipe out everything on my current hard drive, and re-install everything as though I'm installing on a brand new hard drive (which mine isn't).  Based on my research, it seems that re-installation of Mediadirect and Windows OS will only wipe out the partition which it currently resides in and will NOT wipe out the entire hard disc.  Is this correct? 
 
If I were to wipe out everything, including all partitions, then how do I go about making sure that I have Dell utilities partition (which I currently have), and also ensure that all the boot codes are there to ensure evyerhing works properly?  According to the article above, the procedure for re-installing everything invovles creating a C partition and ensuring that the sixe of the C partition is whatever the maximum size of the hard drive is minus 2048MB for Mediadirect.  But what about the Dell utility partition?  Right now, my partition according to disk management is as follows:
 
1) 47MB FAT
2) 69.72 GB NTFS
3) 3.81GB FAT32
 
I assume the first partition is the dell utility, second is windows OS, then the third is PC Restore by Symantec?  Is this correct?
 
Will following the procedure given in the article I mentioned above ensure that the Dell utility partition will be created?  If not, what is the correct procedure?  Also, what about Dell boot codes that are necessary for running Mediadirect? 
 
I've read so many instructions for re-installing Windows XP.  BUt there isn't one single procedure out there that takes into account that I'm re-installing on a Dell system with Mediadirect 2.0.  Also, I would like to note that this is my first ever re-install on any computer in my life.  It would be greatly appreciated if I could get a straight forward answer that pertains to my particular laptop.  Thank you. 


Message Edited by Calla Lily on 12-22-2007 01:39 PM

BigBrother

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4.8K Posts

December 8th, 2007 15:00

Calla Lilly,
 
The simplest way for you to reinstall everything on your computer is to use the Symantec PC Restore feature which is on your system.  This will restore your system to the condition it was in when you first opened the box.  This will also leave the Utility Partition intact and will leave the PC Restore partition intact as well. 
 
If you have never reinstalled Windows, it can seem like a daunting task in itself.  Adding the complexity of re-creating the Utility Partition will add considerably to the task.  Using the PC Restore feature will help you to be sure that you keep the Utility Partition, and all of the drivers will be correctly installed along with all of the factory installed applications. 
 
Steve
 

Calla Lily

2 Intern

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243 Posts

December 9th, 2007 04:00

Hi steve,
Thanks for your reply.  Actually, I've already done PC Restore.  I know for certain that my problem will be resolved with a re-install.  But the problem is, there's just so many conflicting reports out there. 
 
Is it possible to leave the Dell Utility partition and re-install Mediadirect 2.0 and Windows XP Home SP2?  What happens to Master Boot Record, Dell Codes etc?
 
If you could help me with the re-installation issue, it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

BigBrother

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4.8K Posts

December 9th, 2007 12:00

Calla Lilly,
 
A clean reinstallation of Windows requires that you format the partition on which Windows will be installed.  There is no need to delete the Utility Partition.  Simply leave it alone during the reinstallation process.  You already know which partition is the utility partition and which partition is the restore partition.  The largest partition (~70GB) is the Windows partition.  Format only this partition.
 
Back up your important data to an external storage device or to removable storage before you begin.  appropriate devices include a USB key or a CD or an external hard drive. 
 
Gather together all of the CD's  or DVD's that came with your system and all of the CD's or DVD's of the programs you wish to reinstall after you are done. 
 
One of the best tutorials for reinstalling Windows is available at this link:
 
 
During this process, be sure to format only the partition on which you will be installing Windows.  If you use the Windows XP CD that came with your system (Dell Reinstallation CD), you will not need to enter your Product Key as shown in the tutorial. 
 
After you have completed the installation of Windows, you will need to install drivers for your system.  These can be found on your Resource CD or Drivers And Utilities CD.  Installation of these drivers is not completely automatic, however, the drivers which are appropriate for your computer should have a check mark next to them in the listing of drivers.  Be sure to install the System Software first, then the Intel Chipset driver.  These should be followed by the video card driver (Intel 945GM Graphics Controller).  The other drivers can be installed in just about any order you wish. 
 
These should include:
 
1.  Either the Sigmatel integrated audio or the SoundBlaster Audigy integrated audio.
2.  Conexant D110 modem driver
3.  Synaptics Touchpad driver
4.  Broadcom 440x integrated network controller
5.  Intel Pro Wireless 3945ABG network controller
 
Your system may require additonal drivers based on the options you purchased with your system such as which bluetooth card is in your system and whether you purchased a wireless broadband card. 
 
Once the drivers are installed, you should install anti virus software.  Then you can connect to the internet and download the myriad of Microsoft Security Updates which are waiting for you at:
 
 
Update your anti virus software and be sure to subscribe to the updates from the anti virus software company (McAfee, Norton, Kapersky, Trend Micro, CA, etc...)
 
Next, you can reinstall the applications which came with your system as well as any additional applications which you wish to install.  Activate your applications as required and restore your data from the backups you made before you began this process. 
 
This entire process can take from about 1 hour to 4 hours and possibly even longer if you include the time it takes to backup all of your important files.
 
The PC Restore process is much simpler, much quicker, and reinstalls all of the drivers and factory applications automatically. 
 
Steve


Message Edited by BigBrother on 12-09-2007 08:05 AM

Calla Lily

2 Intern

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243 Posts

December 9th, 2007 14:00

PS:
I was told that my laptop is desgined for installing Mediadirect version 2.0, thus will not work with Mediadirect version 3.0, despite the fact that version 3 will work with Windows XP Home SP2.  Is this really true?  Why would my particular laptop not work with version 3?  Is it the BIOS codes or something more along the lines of hardware etc?  I know that there are Inspiron 640M laptops out there with Mediadirect version 3.0 installed.  Thank you. 

Calla Lily

2 Intern

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243 Posts

December 9th, 2007 14:00

Thank you steve,
For the reply....  I really appreciate it.  There are some questions that I have though.  I hope you don't mind if you could look them over as well:
 
I'm going to leave the Dell Utility partition alone as you suggested.  Just to confirm, during the setup process of reinstalling Windows where you are shown a page on the screen with all the paritions on your hard drive and are directed to format, is that formatting ONLY for the partition that you choose?  Or by choosing to format, will it wipe out ALL hard drive, including ALL paritions, thus collapsing partitions in the process and making the hard drive back to the point where nothing was installed on it? 
 
With regards to the PC Restore partition, I know that once the C partition is re-installed, then it totally makes the PC Restore non functioning for good.  So do I need to manually delete the PC Restore partition?  Or since it will no longer work when Windows is reinstalled, will the PC Restore partition automatically dissapear and become part of "free" space so to speak, and perhaps join the C partition (since the PC Restore partition coms just after the C partition right now on my hard drive)?
 
Since the PC Restore partition will contain a program (PC Restore) which will no longer work, will this corrupt the MBR or any other Dell codes that ensure that my computer boots and functions proerply?  Similarly, if I manually remove the PC Restore partition, will this corrupt the MBR or the Dell codes etc?
 
With regards to installation of drivers, you mention:
 Installation of these drivers is not completely automatic, however, the drivers which are appropriate for your computer should have a check mark next to them in the listing of drivers. 
Does this mean that when the Resource CD is put into the CD/DVD drive, then it scans for ALL components such as hardware installed on my laptop and leaves a mark next to the items that are compatible for my computer?  I would like to stree the word ALL here.  Would the Resource CD ensure that ALL necessary drivers are installed or will there be some that will not be accounted for?  If so, what would they be?
 
I am taking a look at the web site that you suggested for clean install, and with regards to formatting options, there are 2 types: quick and full.  I'm thinking that since my laptop has been unstable, a full format maybe in order.  Would you agree?  If so, how long do you think that would take?  My hard drive size is 80GB by Toshiba.  BTW, people have talked about "clean" versus "dirty" reinstall.  What is a "dirty" reinstall?
 
I've tried using PC Restore among other methods to try and restore my current issue.  Upon talking with various technical support staff as well as talking on this forum as well as others, it turned out that re-installation was the only otpion.  Otherwise my Mediadirect will continue to not work, and my computer is showing up errors, becoming increasingly unstable.  Though I have the latest version of security software installed, it seems I may ahve picked up a spyware or it may be that the update patch that I donwloaded for Sonic CIneplayer is continuing to reck havoc on my computer, even though I have used PC Restore a number of times since isntalling the update patch. 
 
Thank you for taking the time to read my post.
 


Message Edited by Calla Lily on 12-09-2007 09:09 AM

BigBrother

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4.8K Posts

December 9th, 2007 18:00

Calla Lilly,
 
Your system came out when Media Direct 2.0 was out, which is why the Dell Techie told you that your system was designed for Media Direct 2.0.  This certainly does not mean that Media Direct 3 will not work with your system.  One of the things that it does mean, however, is that Dell will not provide you with any support for Media Direct 3 if you have installed it yourself
 
Steve

BigBrother

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4.8K Posts

December 9th, 2007 18:00

Calla Lilly,
 
Below are excerpts from your post with responses mixed in:
 
 
I'm going to leave the Dell Utility partition alone as you suggested.  Just to confirm, during the setup process of reinstalling Windows where you are shown a page on the screen with all the paritions on your hard drive and are directed to format, is that formatting ONLY for the partition that you choose? 
Yes, it will format only the partition that you choose.
 
 
Or by choosing to format, will it wipe out ALL hard drive, including ALL paritions, thus collapsing partitions in the process and making the hard drive back to the point where nothing was installed on it? 
No, formatting is a process which affects partitions, not necessarily an entire hard drive.
 
 
With regards to the PC Restore partition, I know that once the C partition is re-installed, then it totally makes the PC Restore non functioning for good. 
This is not correct.  If you leave the PC Restore partition alone, you should be able to use it again if it is ever needed.  Just do not delete it or format it.
 
 
So do I need to manually delete the PC Restore partition?  Or since it will no longer work when Windows is reinstalled, will the PC Restore partition automatically dissapear and become part of "free" space so to speak, and perhaps join the C partition (since the PC Restore partition coms just after the C partition right now on my hard drive)? 
You do not need to delete the PC Restore Partition.  It will work again and again if it is left alone.
 
 
Since the PC Restore partition will contain a program (PC Restore) which will no longer work, will this corrupt the MBR or any other Dell codes that ensure that my computer boots and functions proerply?  Similarly, if I manually remove the PC Restore partition, will this corrupt the MBR or the Dell codes etc? 
If you choose to delete the PC Restore partition, it will not corrupt the MBR or anything else about your system. 
 
 
With regards to installation of drivers, you mention:
 Installation of these drivers is not completely automatic, however, the drivers which are appropriate for your computer should have a check mark next to them in the listing of drivers. 
Does this mean that when the Resource CD is put into the CD/DVD drive, then it scans for ALL components such as hardware installed on my laptop and leaves a mark next to the items that are compatible for my computer? 
The Resource CD will scan your computer hardware and put checkmarks next to the devices that it recognizes (genuine Dell, factory-installed devices).  It will not detect any 3rd party devices such as printers, scanners, cameras, network devices, etc...  It will only have drivers for genuine Dell devices that it recognizes.
 
 
I would like to stree the word ALL here. 
See the response above. 
 
 
Would the Resource CD ensure that ALL necessary drivers are installed or will there be some that will not be accounted for?  If so, what would they be?
On a Dell desktop computer, the Resource CD may not recognize the modem in your computer.  If that is the case, there will be a separate CD for that item.  On a laptop such as yours, the modem driver is usually on the Resource CD.  Also, some video cards, notably some ATI video cards, come with their own driver and software installation CD.  If you have a separate CD for any component, this will be an indicator that the driver for that item is not on the Resource CD.
 
 
I am taking a look at the web site that you suggested for clean install, and with regards to formatting options, there are 2 types: quick and full.  I'm thinking that since my laptop has been unstable, a full format maybe in order.  Would you agree? 
Yes, a full format would be in order.  After completing the format, be sure to restart the computer with the Windows reinstallation CD from Dell and start the reinstallation over.  The second time, do not format the partition, just leave the file system alone and proceed with the installation.  This will insure that the drive letters are correctly assigned to the various drives (memory card slots will be given drive letters), expecially the "C" drive for Windows.
 
 
If so, how long do you think that would take?  My hard drive size is 80GB by Toshiba. 
Depending on the speed of your system, 35-45 minutes for the format is a good estimate.  You should make some coffee before you start this process, especially if you start it after dinner.  :-)
 
 
BTW, people have talked about "clean" versus "dirty" reinstall.  What is a "dirty" reinstall?
A "dirty" reinstall is when you reinstall Windows in the same partition and the same "C:\Windows" folder without formatting the drive first.  Basically, reinstalling Windows right on top of itself.  This is OK to do in a pinch if it is only to give yourself time to back up your important data.  Howeve, this will often cause more problems that it cures, and will certainly not fix any problems caused by viruses, spyware, or any other "malware".
 
 
I've tried using PC Restore among other methods to try and restore my current issue.  Upon talking with various technical support staff as well as talking on this forum as well as others, it turned out that re-installation was the only otpion. 
If you format the partition on which Windows is located, and then run the PC Restore, you will be doing a "clean" reinstall of Windows.  For the short amount of time that it takes compared to a manual reinstallation of Windows, you have nothing to lose by trying it. 
Click here for a Dell KB which explains the PC Restore function.  Here is a small excerpt from that KB article:
 
"If your computer has the Media Direct tool and you have restored your computer back to its original factory condition, you MUST repair the Media Direct tool as well. Instructions for repairing this tool are provided in this article."
If you have tried to use PC Restore in the past and Media Direct has not functioned correctly after that, then the instructions about repairing the Media Direct Tool in the KB article mentioned above may help save you a lot of effort with a manual reinstall.
 
Steve

BigBrother

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4.8K Posts

December 9th, 2007 19:00

Calla Lilly,
 
The KB article that you mention was created recently on November 14th, 2007.  I downloaded the Repair Utility about 4 motnhs ago.  Could we be talking about the same Repair Utility? 
No, the link that I referenced does not say to do a repair for the Media Direct 2, but reinstalls Media Direct.  Reinstalling Media Direct from the CD is necessary after using PC Restore.  In fact, it will be necessary after any Windows reinstallation except a dirty reinstall.  Doing a dirty reinstall is not recommended except under certain circumstances. 
 
 
**I've tried using PC Restore among other methods to try and restore my current issue.  Upon talking with various technical support staff as well as talking on this forum as well as others, it turned out that re-installation was the only otpion. 
If you format the partition on which Windows is located, and then run the PC Restore, you will be doing a "clean" reinstall of Windows.  For the short amount of time that it takes compared to a manual reinstallation of Windows, you have nothing to lose by trying it.  
Let me correct my reply.  Here is what it should say:
If you format the partition on which Windows is located, restart the computer and then run the PC Restore using , you will be doing a "clean" reinstall of Windows.  For the short amount of time that it takes compared to a manual reinstallation of Windows, you have nothing to lose by trying it.  I apologize for providing an incomplete reply.
 
How would I go about using PC Restore after formatting the C partition? 
You can start the windows reinstallation process from the Windows CD, go as far as completing the format of the desired partition and then shut the computer down.  When you restart the computer, use Ctrl-F11 to access the PC Restore function.
 
According to the reinstallation process, after formatting the C partition, the system will boot for setting up Windows and completing the re-installation procedure?  If I were to use the PC Restore at some point during all this, would this not screw things up? 
No, it would not screw things up.
 
If it won't mess things up, at what point will I use the PC Restore to "copy" the opriginal factory files to the newly formatted C partition?
Here are the instructions from this  Dell KB article which I referenced in my previous post. 
 
************************

Using PC Restore in Windows XP or Media Center

1   Turn on the computer.

2   When the Dell splash screen appears during the computer startup process, press and hold and then press . Then, release both keys at the same time.

3   In the Dell PC Restore by Symantec window, click Restore. Alternatively, press to highlight Restore, and then press .

4   When a warning message appears stating that all data will be lost, click Confirm, or press to highlight Confirm and then press .

The Progress window will appear. Once the restore process starts, Dell PC Restore by Symantec usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes to finish.

When the restore process is complete, the following message will appear:
The system recovery process was successful.

5   Click Finish or press to highlight Finish and then press to restart the computer.

The software is now installed as it was when the computer was first received.
 
*******************************
 
From the Dell article I found regarding reinstalling Mediadirect 2.0 with Windows, it says: "all existing files will be deleted" if I use the procedure outlined in the article to use the Mediadirect reinstallation CD.  The article ID is the one I mentioned in my very first post above (Article ID: 283360)  This article does not explain in detail what it means by deleting all exisitng files.  I don't know if it means deleting all data on ALL partitions, or something else.   
The process referenced in that article will definitely delete ALL data on ALL partitions..
 
Using PC Restore and then reinstalling Media Direct from the CD as instructed in the article I referenced earlier will be the easiest and fastest way for you to get your system back in operation.
 
Steve

Calla Lily

2 Intern

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243 Posts

December 9th, 2007 19:00

Your system came out when Media Direct 2.0 was out, which is why the Dell Techie told you that your system was designed for Media Direct 2.0.  This certainly does not mean that Media Direct 3 will not work with your system.  One of the things that it does mean, however, is that Dell will not provide you with any support for Media Direct 3 if you have installed it yourself
 
Steve
 
Hi Steve,
I saw this post after I posted mine.  To confirm, my system then has the necessary MBR, any other Dell codes, and the necessary hardware/software to work with Mediadirect 3.0?  So if I end up with Mediadirect 3.0, and have trouble with it, Dell Techie will not help me out because it's not what my system originally came with, even though it's a Dell branded software (Mediadirect that is) that I have?  If that is the case, I find it rather strange, since Mediadirect is created by Dell.....
 
One other thing that I've negelected to mention is that my system has a sticker saying: "designed for Windows Xp, Windows Vista capable."  If I were to manually reinstall Windows, and not use PC Restore after formatting the C partition, would I need to install something special to ensure that my laptop "remains" Vista capable?  Or does this "Vista capable" mean that my HARDWARE is Vista capable?  I ran Belarc Advisor and looked through there, but with my limited knowledge, I did not find anything ahrdware or software that addressed this "vista capability."
 
Thank you once again. 


Message Edited by Calla Lily on 12-09-2007 01:23 PM

Calla Lily

2 Intern

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243 Posts

December 9th, 2007 19:00

Hello Steve,
First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to help me!  Your advice and comments have been invaluable.  Thank you!
 
If you do not mind helping me further with my issue, I am still struggling to understand the following and would like your assistance:
I have been dealing with a non-working Mediadirect 2.0 ever since I installed the update patch for Sonic Cineplayer.  As I mentioned in my previous post, I tried PC Restore a number of times, and I've also tried the Dell mediadirect Repair Utility.  I took a look at the KB article link that you provided, but the information regarding Mediadirect Repair Utility is totally different from the one that I found in my Drivers & Downloads page.  I downloaded the latest version of Mediadirect Repair Utility (version A05 for Inspiron 640M), and had to use the ISO burner to create a bootable disk.  From my understanding, it repiars the MBR.  The KB article that you mention was created recently on November 14th, 2007.  I downloaded the Repair Utility about 4 motnhs ago.  Could we be talking about the same Repair Utility?  As I recall, there is only one Mediadirect Repair Utility in my Drivers & Downloads page....  I just visited my Drivers & Downloads page again, and it seems that what I downloaded a while ago and the information that is showing for what appears to be the same version: A05 is totally differnt.  Now, it's saying the same thing as the ifno on the KB article that you mention.  This is so strange.....
 
Anyway, sorry for the rambling, but I thought I would present a more accurate view of what I have been doing to try and make my Mediadirect function again.  Back to the questions: (my questions are in black, the blue is a quote from the previous post)
 
**I've tried using PC Restore among other methods to try and restore my current issue.  Upon talking with various technical support staff as well as talking on this forum as well as others, it turned out that re-installation was the only otpion. 
If you format the partition on which Windows is located, and then run the PC Restore, you will be doing a "clean" reinstall of Windows.  For the short amount of time that it takes compared to a manual reinstallation of Windows, you have nothing to lose by trying it.   How would I go about using PC Restore after formatting the C partition?  According to the reinstallation process, after formatting the C partition, the system will boot for setting up Windows and completing the re-installation procedure?  If I were to use the PC Restore at some point during all this, would this not screw things up?  If it won't mess things up, at what point will I use the PC Restore to "copy" the opriginal factory files to the newly formatted C partition?
 
**Click here for a Dell KB which explains the PC Restore function.  Here is a small excerpt from that KB article:
"If your computer has the Media Direct tool and you have restored your computer back to its original factory condition, you MUST repair the Media Direct tool as well. Instructions for repairing this tool are provided in this article."   The information contained in the download page specifically for Mediadirect Repair Utility says: "Dell MediaDirect Repair Utility tool will restore Dell MediaDirect functionality after the system MBR gets corrupted through manual re-installation of the operating system."  Since this Repair Utility is for a manual reinstallation of the OS< I guess it would not be applicable or work in cases where the PC Restore is used?  I'm assuming the term: "manual" in this case means actually using the Windows Reinstallation disc that Dell gave me to reinstall Windows. 
 
Also, in the KB article that you mention, it mentions 2 actions you can take with regards to Mediadirect.  The first is about the Repair Utility, the second is about using the reinstallation CD for Mediadirect.  From the Dell article I found regarding reinstalling Mediadirect 2.0 with Windows, it says: "all existing files will be deleted" if I use the procedure outlined in the article to use the Mediadirect reinstallation CD.  The article ID is the one I mentioned in my very first post above (Article ID: 283360)  This article does not explain in detail what it means by deleting all exisitng files.  I don't know if it means deleting all data on ALL partitions, or something else.   
Thank you again for your time.  I really appreciate it.  After 4 months of dealing with this issue, I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel because of your help and advice. 

BigBrother

2 Intern

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4.8K Posts

December 9th, 2007 19:00

Calla Lilly,
 
So if I end up with Mediadirect 3.0, and have trouble with it, Dell Techie will not help me out because it's not what my system originally came with, even though it's a Dell branded software (Mediadirect that is) that I have?  If that is the case, I find it rather strange, since Mediadirect is created by Dell.....
Yes, this is true.  Even though Media Direct may be a Dell application, Dell will not support any software which did not come factory installed on your computer.
 
If I were to manually reinstall Windows, and not use PC Restore after formatting the C partition, would I need to install something special to ensure that my laptop "remains" Vista capable?  Or does this "Vista capable" mean that my HARDWARE is Vista capable?
You would not need to install anything else to ensure that your computer remains "Vista Capable".  The sticker means that the hardware is Vista Capable.
 
Steve

hrova

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2.2K Posts

December 9th, 2007 19:00

Not to jump in on BigBrother Steve, but... (and sorry if it seems that way)

I though PC Restore restored everything back tot he way it was when you bought it. Unless the problem was caused by something Dell installed and you cannot delete it, the PC Restore should have fixed the problem.

BigBrother

2 Intern

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4.8K Posts

December 9th, 2007 19:00

hrova,
 
It is true that using the PC Restore feature restores your computer to just the way it was when you opened the box.  However, with Media Direct, there is apparently a caveat of some sort where you have to reinstall Media Direct after using the PC Restore feature. 
 
Steve

Calla Lily

2 Intern

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243 Posts

December 10th, 2007 06:00

Hi Steve,
Thanks again for your reply.
 
No, the link that I referenced does not say to do a repair for the Media Direct 2, but reinstalls Media Direct.  Reinstalling Media Direct from the CD is necessary after using PC Restore.  In fact, it will be necessary after any Windows reinstallation except a dirty reinstall.  Doing a dirty reinstall is not recommended except under certain circumstances.   The article that you are referencing here: "Article ID: 336966, What is Dell PC Restore?" has 2 info about Mediadirect.  One is about downloading Medadirect Repair Utility, and the other, like you've mentioned in your previous post, is about reinstalling Mediadirect software.  I'm confused as to which one I should do, or both? 
When I checked out the download page for the Repair Utility, it says it's used after "the system MBR gets corrupted through manual reinstallation of OS."  No mention about PC Restore.  The article that you provided "Article ID: 336966" says at the top of its page: "you MUST repair the Mediadirect tool if you have restored your computer back to its original condition."  Does the terms "original condition" in this case refer to the computer's condition after doing PC Restore or when you use the Windows OS Dell sent?
 
 
You can start the windows reinstallation process from the Windows CD, go as far as completing the format of the desired partition and then shut the computer down.   According to the Paul Thurrott's site that you provided, under part 8: "Setup folder copy phase and reboot," it says to not touch any key when I get a message saying: Press and key to boot from CD," because the setup will boot from the C drive.  So if I were to turn off the computer, at what point would I turn off?  And how?  During this step 8, apparently setup will copy system files to the system/boot partitions(s) just created...
 
 
From the Dell article I found regarding reinstalling Mediadirect 2.0 with Windows, it says: "all existing files will be deleted" if I use the procedure outlined in the article to use the Mediadirect reinstallation CD.  The article ID is the one I mentioned in my very first post above (Article ID: 283360)  This article does not explain in detail what it means by deleting all exisitng files.  I don't know if it means deleting all data on ALL partitions, or something else.   
The process referenced in that article will definitely delete ALL data on ALL partitions..  The process in this article I found (ID# 283360) uses the same Mediadirect reinstallation CD as mentioned in the article that you provided (the article titled: What is dell PC Restore?).  Or does it?  Are there two types of reinstallation CD for Mediadirect?  I have one that says: "For reinstalling Dell Mediadirect on Dell Inspiron 640M and E1405 systems" part #TJ651, Rev.A01, April 2006.  The instructions that came with this CD said to use the CD to reinstall Mediadirect in order to replace the existing hard drive with a new drive.  The instruction also says that I must prep the hard drive (ie: partitioning the hard drive) prior to reinstalling Mediadirect or will receive an error message when attempting to reinstall.  If I get an error message, then I have to install Windows again.  However, the procedure that is given in this instruction manual for reinstalling Mediadirect is the same as what was outlined in the KB article (What is Dell PC Restore?) that you provided.  But the KB article does not mention anything about how the procedure given for reinstalling Mediadirect is for replacing the existing hard drive with a new drive, or about needing to prep the hard drive (ie: partitioning the hard drive) or an error message will come up.
 
 
Using PC Restore and then reinstalling Media Direct from the CD as instructed in the article I referenced earlier will be the easiest and fastest way for you to get your system back in operation.  So I guess the procedure that you seem to be recommending for me to do would be as follows?
1) use the windows XP reinstallation CD that Dell sent
2) use PC Restore to do "Clean" reinstall instead of manually reinstalling OS, then drivers and so forth
3) either use Mediadirect Repair Utility or Mediadirect reinstallation CD (not sure which one as I posted in my question above)
 
 
** This is from a couple of posts ago**
I am taking a look at the web site that you suggested for clean install, and with regards to formatting options, there are 2 types: quick and full.  I'm thinking that since my laptop has been unstable, a full format maybe in order.  Would you agree? 
Yes, a full format would be in order.  After completing the format, be sure to restart the computer with the Windows reinstallation CD from Dell and start the reinstallation over.  The second time, do not format the partition, just leave the file system alone and proceed with the installation.  This will insure that the drive letters are correctly assigned to the various drives (memory card slots will be given drive letters), expecially the "C" drive for Windows.  The part that I'm not sure about is when you mention: "The second time..."  Do I need to format twice?  Is that what you mean by second time here? 
 
Thanks as always for your time and help.
 
 
 

Calla Lily

2 Intern

 • 

243 Posts

December 10th, 2007 08:00

Hi Steve,
I just found the following on the internet about PC Restore and wanted your thoughts on it:
 
The ways in which PC Restore becomes defective/non functioning depends on the Windows OS:
 
For Vista: if you do any ONE of the following, PC Restore will no longer work
* if you delete the PC Restore partition
* if you swap the original hard drive that came with your computer from Dell with another hard drive
 
For XP: if you do any ONE of the following, PC Restore will no longer work
* if you delete the Utility partition
* if you delete the C drive
* if you delete the PC Restore partition
* if you delete an extended partition
* if you change/delete other partitions
* if you use DSRIRRemv2 file to delete the PC Restore program
* if you swap the original hard drive with a different one.
 
Based on this information, since I have Windows XP Home SP2, I guess the PC Restore will no longer work once I format and delete the current C drive, even if I leave the PC Restore partition alone, which was what I was planning on doing.  If that is the case, then I guess it might be better to delete the PC Restore partition since it's not going to work after formatting the C partition.  Otherwiese, if I leave the PC Restore partition and not delete it during Windows setup, the partition will just sit there as wasted space with a non working PC Restore program, would it not? 
Thank you.


Message Edited by Calla Lily on 12-10-2007 02:50 AM

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