New Dell MediaDirect

[shinji257]

I've got a Q here. I'm in a position to be able to remove the HPA partition from my drive for MD2. (the partition changes while booting up md2 but it crashes -- another boot of md2 reverts the changes back). Would it be safe to remove if I am going to be installing MD3 in its place?

P.S. - I know the partition table would be pretty well trashed so I would be backing up my OS partition first.

[Router-Dude]

You do not have to remove the HPA partiton; however, it will not be used for MD3 so if you do not remove then you are effectively wasting space.

I chose to remove mine using "taft.exe" and then used "mbrtool.exe" to completely wipe the MBR and Track 0 before I started the MD 3 install. Of course this was done after I had backed up the OS partition using Ghost. I chose to wipe Track 0 because if you do not and you ever run Dell MD repair, it will find the HPA data in Sector 3 of Track 0 and will reactivate the HPA settings ... hosing whatever partition uses the space of the sectors that will be "hidden" by the new Set Max User Address that HPA uses.

*Make sure that you put a leading "0" in the new hex address to remove HPA, if you don't know what this means, then I would not recommend that you NOT even attempt to remove your HPA (i.e., df94baf = 0df94baf)*

NOTE: Taft.exe and MBRTOOL.exe CAN be destructive to any existing data on the HD. Make a Backup *and verify* before you attempt any operations with tools of this nature.

Keep in mind that you only need to restore the OS partiton as the MD 3 install will recreate and populate the Dell Diagnostic partition.

SG: May I post a link to the MD3 (english) Install PDF that I scanned? This is a 4 page PDF, no links to software.

Router-Dude

[Router-Dude]

Good point, no clue if BIOS/system has anything to do with it (I'd think BIOS rather than model if anything). Though BIOS shouldn't affect you in Windows? Who knows

Mine had the latest BIOS when I got it (E1505) so not sure.

I think the error I saw was something like "Setting BIOS MD button press bit" so apparently BIOS detects the MD button press and sets a bit in a memory address, the Dell MBR then detects the set bit and takes an action.

Router-Dude

[Router-Dude]

P.S. - I know the partition table would be pretty well trashed so I would be backing up my OS partition first.

You do need to backup; however, on an aside removing the HPA will not mess up your partition table, you will just find "unallocated" space exists at the end of the HD after removing it.

Router-Dude

[Router-Dude]

Well, I ahven't tried. but I don't think so. I didn't see another drive while it was installing either. Ugh, I'll try again I suppose.

Yes it does work. Once you finish the windows install and you boot into windows and run the MD 3 install do the following:

Copy taskmgr.exe to clipboard. (C:\windows\system32)
Open my computer where you can see the drive letters.
Start the MD 3 install
Watch the "my computer" window, you will see and "X:" drive added.
Open "X:" drive.
Refresh (F5) until you see a "windows" directory created.
Switch to X:\windows
Refresh (F5) until you see a "System32" folder added.
Immediately copy the contents of your clipboard (taskmgr.exe) to x:\windows\system32 (you should be able to r-click on windows and select paste).

You are done, now when you press MD button from power off you should be able to press ctl-alt-del in MD express and get a task manager.

Where you go from here .. I don't know good luck.

Router-Dude

[gohanssjn]

Ok, a fresh install (ghost at least) AGAIN tonight I suppose XD

This is like #6 on this laptop.

[Krugger]

Yes it does work. Once you finish the windows install and you boot into windows and run the MD 3 install do the following:

Copy taskmgr.exe to clipboard. (C:\windows\system32)
Open my computer where you can see the drive letters.
Start the MD 3 install
Watch the "my computer" window, you will see and "X:" drive added.
Open "X:" drive.
Refresh (F5) until you see a "windows" directory created.
Switch to X:\windows
Refresh (F5) until you see a "System32" folder added.
Immediately copy the contents of your clipboard (taskmgr.exe) to x:\windows\system32 (you should be able to r-click on windows and select paste).

You are done, now when you press MD button from power off you should be able to press ctl-alt-del in MD express and get a task manager.

Where you go from here .. I don't know good luck.

Router-Dude

I believe where you go from there is open task manager, select File, New Task, Run, and enter Explorer.exe and hit Ok. Then use Windows Explorer to find the Codec installation program and install it.

[Router-Dude]

I believe where you go from there is open task manager, select File, New Task, Run, and enter Explorer.exe and hit Ok. Then use Windows Explorer to find the Codec installation program and install it.

I can tell you from experience if the CODEC installation uses MS Installer (MSI) it will not install. MD 3 does not have MSI installed. Make sure you got to MS's site and download the MS Installer if you find that you need it.

Router-Dude

[Router-Dude]

Question:

For peeps that have sucessfully installed MD3.

1. What laptop model?
2. BIOS?
3. OS?
4. Did you Install Media Experience (DMX)?
5. What does pressing the MD button while in normal OS do?

Router-Dude

[Router-Dude]

To My own Question:

1. What laptop model?
XPS m1210
2. BIOS?
A04
3. OS?
XP Pro w/SP2
4. Did you Install Media Experience (DMX)?
No
5. What does pressing the MD button while in normal OS do?
Popup box "Unable to launch Dell Media Experience. Please instal this software and try again.

As you guys may guess I am trying to get my MD button to call up MD *not* DMX. The Dell Quick Set guide mentions changing the behavior of the MD button, but I do not have an option to do so. (Dell QS Version 7.1.10 A38)

Router-Dude