1705 Purchase/Format Questions

I read SG's formatting FAQ, but I have a few quick questions about the process. Since Dell charges $100 to upgrade to a 80GB 7200rpm drive, I am probably better off buying a new 7200rpm drive from newegg for about the same price. This way I can keep the original 80GB 5400rpm for backup and install the new one.

1. Can I swap this HDD drive with the original factory Dell HDD?
Seagate Momentus 7200.1 ST910021AS 100GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Notebook Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822146226

2. Does anyone know what disks come with a Dell normally? Which disks would I have to put a specific request for if planning to do a clean install?

3. I've been doing some research on the MediaDirect feature and keeping the partition. If I do a clean install on the new HDD, do I simply keep a partition open for the MediaDirect and install it?

 

2. Normally you have to request all of the discs unless you order the XP discs. I'm not sure if they still have the option to order the XP bundle or not. You also need to request the cyberlink PowerDVD disc and sonic recordNow. Request the discs from Dell's Tech Support

3. there will be a partition label MediaDirect. Leave this partition alone and you should be good to go. You do not need to repair Media Direct since you'll have MD 3.0

 

- The site doesn't have the option any more. You have to order the TV tuner to get the XP disk. Do I also need to ask for the MediaDirect disk?

- But if it's a brand new HDD from newegg, would it have the MediaDirect partition?

 

Yes, if you put a new HDD in, you will need to request the Media Direct Disc. I wouldn't install the new HDD or format, until you receive the correct Media Direct disc. You'll need MediaDirect reinstallation 3.0 disc and some users have had a hard time getting it.

Once you get the MD 3.0 reinstallation disc, it will require you to format, so there is no sense in installing XP on your new HDD and getting everything setup until you get that disc.

 

My first E1505 came with an XP MCE DVD but no Media Direct and no Sonic.

My replacement E1505 (bad VGA out) came with XP MCE DVD and Media Direct and no Sonic.

There is no option to order the OS media for $10.

 

LOL. Nothing is ever simple. It sounds like I almost might be better off just doing the $100 upgrade through Dell to avoid chasing disks around.

One last question. Is there any reason why I wouldn't be able to use the Dell restore disk on the new HDD drive? Would that automatically create the MediaDirect partition on the new HDD? Sorry for all the newb questions. This would be my first experience with Dell.

 

You are supposed to use the Media Direct CD to set up the partitions for Media Direct. Then you use the OS CD to install the OS.

If you have to send your laptop in for repair, Dell asks you to remove the hard drive, so, you should be covered in that case as well.