[StapleCactus]

Hello everyone, I have a problem and I hope you guys can help. Here's my situation:

First, my computer showed a black screen after attempting to load Windows. I called Dell support and they said to use the restore ability on the cd. Everything was good until about 2 days ago. I got a BSoD. The error code was Stop: 0x0000007E (0xc0000005, 0xF795B02A, 0xF7AB58F8, 0xF7AB55F4). Panicking, I rushed out and got an external harddrive and proceeded to back up my info as per Dell's recommendation. Then, I used what they said I should, the Ctrl+F11 combo at the Dell.com blue bar screen during boot up. I ran the restore partition to get the computer back to original manufacture's settings, but it said it didn't work. The computer rebooted and began the "You got a new computer" setup. I thought, ok, I'll do it and call Dell back later. Well, my brother got on and he said the screen went all crazy static-like while going online. I went online to see if I could call Dell back and my warranty has expired.... While searching for help online on that computer I got the same static screen my brother did. Now, here's what I'm asking.

1. Should I try to fix the computer with new drivers and such? or should I do an entire reformat and reinstall
2. When I do a reformat, should I just go ahead and get rid of all the other partitions like Dell restore and Media Direct since I don't use it?
3. Is there a way I can make the Media Direct button on the laptop boot in a different OS like it does with Media Direct when the computer is off?

The reason for #3 is that I want to get my Windows XP Media Center back on but I also want Linux as a secondary. I'm hoping there is a way to get that to work, it would be cooler than having to wait til the boot menu shows up for me to choose.

I know, it's a lot of reading but I felt that I needed to explain the whole situation.

 

[StapleCactus]

Please, someone, help me out here. 1 day without my XPS is like a lifetime of boredom! I'll add more info for the heck of it.

Comp specs:
2.0 GHz dual core Intel (forgot the exact type, maybe Centrino?)
Dell XPS M1210
1GB of RAM
60GB HDD
Nvidia GeForce Go graphics card (forgot the number)

Yeah, I'm not at my laptop right now so I can't get everything.

 

[Old Rich]

The Dell restore process should have returned the system to the exact state it was shipped to you. You can try downloading newer drivers for the Video card at the Dell support site. .

If that does not do the trick, run the Dell Diagnostics to see if anything shows up.

 

[StapleCactus]

I could try that but is the system going to be stable? I mean, the Dell Restore process ended with "The Dell Restore process was unsuccessful" so that's my #1 concern.

 

[Old Rich]

Have you added any new devices ( different video card . . . ) since you bought it? The only way you will know if it will be stable is to try it.

A clean install will likely result in a more nimble and stable system, but you will loose any applications that came on the pc unless you have the install discs for them also.

 

[StapleCactus]

Well, I did install a bluetooth card after I got it. You think that has to do with why the restore process failed? And I don't mind if I lose the applications, the only one I used that Dell gave me was the PC-Cillan Anti-Virus and I've got the CD for that. The video card came with it btw...

 

[Old Rich]

It may be the bluetooth card . . I'd remove it and try the restore again . . If push comes to shove, you can reinstall XP using the Dell ReInstallation cd

 

[StapleCactus]

I'll try that, but if it doesn't work, can you help me with my last question? The one about dual boot with two power buttons...

 

[Old Rich]

That's an interesting concept . . you might be able to get the Mediaq Direct to boot from a linux CD, . . never thought about that.

 

[StapleCactus]

There's only like 1-2 GBs in the Media Direct partition. I was thinking though that I'd start up with a linux cd, get into that partition and delete Media Direct. Then install Linux on that partition. It would be cool if it worked. I guess I'll have to try and see. Oh, and the driver update seems to have fixed the video problem. I'll just keep my data on the external drive until I run all my diag. tests.

 

[Old Rich]

Let us know . .

 

[StapleCactus]

Sorry for the late reply. Anyway, I've been using the computer and everything seems to check out. The next time that my computer messes up I'll just do the reformat and try the media center trick. Hell, nvm. I'll try it sooner, if it don't work, oh well. I don't use Media Center anyway. I'll let y'all know.