[AliciaD]

Hi there! We are having a VERY similar problem with my husband's Dell Inspiron 1525. When he turns it on it goes straight to Dell Media Direct. Won't let him exit out of it, sometimes gives him an error, won't boot in safe mode. We're at a loss!

Did you ever find a fix? We have things on this computer that we need access to and can't afford an expensive repair bill. It's out of warranty, so Dell won't help us without us paying them.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

~Alicia

[rshaffer61]

First thing is to save your data and we will do that using a Linux Live cd.

Use Puppy Linux Live CD to Recover Your Data:

===================
***Required Hardware***
CD Burner (CDRW) Drive,
Blank CD,
Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)
===================

1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:

Download Latest Puppy Linux ISO (i.e.: lupu-520.iso)
Download BurnCDCC ISO Burning Software


• Open BurnCDCC with Windows Explorer
  
• Extract All files to a location you can remember
  
• Double Click BurnCDCC
  
• Click Browse and navigate to the Puppy Linux ISO file you just downloaded
  
• Open/Double Click that file
  IMPORTANT: Adjust the speed bar to CD: 4x DVD: 1x
  
• Click Start
  
• Your CD Burner Tray will open automatically
  
• Insert a blank CD and close the tray
  
• Click OK
Puppy Linux Live CD will now be created

2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second

• Start the computer/press the power button
  
• Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup"
  (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen)
  
• Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to:
  CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd
  
• Open your ROM drive and insert the disk
  
• Press F10 to save and exit
  
• Agree with "Y" to continue
  
• Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD
  
  

3. Recover Your Data

Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM). You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer". Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning. Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy. To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once. Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to. This is normal. Ready? Let's get started.

3a. Mount Drives
• Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop.
  
• A Window will open. By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted. Click on Mount for your hard drive.
  
• Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount.
  
• USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted.
  
• If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab. Mount it now.

3b. Transfer Files.
• At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon.
  
• Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1
  
• Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1
  
• If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows)
  
• From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window.

For The Novice: The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each idividual name of each user. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos.

Remember to only click once! No double clicking! Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy. Choose COPY each time you drag and drop.

YOU ARE DONE!!! Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer. Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations!

If you're doing this to recovery from a virus or malware infection, (or even if you're not), DO NOT copy executable files (.exe, .scr. etc...) if any of these files are infected you could be copying the corruption over to any new device/computer. just copy documents, pictures, music, or videos.

[AliciaD]

I'm not sure how I'm supposed to do any of that when I can't get out of this Media Direct screen.

[rshaffer61]

What about the system you are responding with now?
Download and make the live cd per the instructions on this system. Then follow the steps to make the other system boot to the cdrom first in the bios and hopefully if everything is done right you should be able to get access to your data.
The cd will run the system without the windows being used.

[AliciaD]

I may just have to ask someone to help me because I do not at all understand those instructions.

Thanks anyways.

[123Runner]

The live cd is the best way to get the data without you having to mess with the hardware part of it yet.

The other way to get the data requires you to have access to another computer and either attach the hard drive (remove it from the laptop) to another computer or put it in a USB external case.

Our main objective is to save your data first before we continue.

[rshaffer61]

If it would be easier do this in steps.
Step one is the download and burning of the Linux Live cd.
You can do that using the system you are responding to us here on.
Once that is done we can go to the next step.

[AliciaD]

We have someone helping us take care of this.

Thanks anyways.

[rshaffer61]

No problem and we will watch for any updates. We do not close topics in this forum so post back good or bad. If needed we will continue from there.
Good Luck.

[ketya]

What it did was completely switched off the laptop and then pressed the media direct button ! & whoaaaaalla !
I read somewhere that button get reversed and i was pressing power button only after the problem ! then tried this idea

[rshaffer61]

Thanks for the info keyta and I'm sure it will help someone with the same issue in the future.

[eddie0404]

my dell laptop only only turns on with the home key, and goes right into media direct, the power button does nothing and i've tried everything, ready to chuck it off the 12th floor.......