Inspiron 13-5378, Unable to use Dell OS Recovery USB

Question

This is my son's laptop which last year the HD failed. I replaced it with an SSD and downloaded the tool:

Dell-USB-Recovery-Tool_M5W90_WIN_2.3.6056.0_A00.exe

His BIOS was still1.25.0

When I followed instructions, hitting F12 on logo, the options did not include anything to start off the USB. The USB is visible as it appears when I select Flash BIOS and hit "..." to select the bios (none selected of course)

The app itself says I shiould hit F12 then select "Repair or Reset" which is DEFINITELY not an option. But neither is booting from the USB. Tried the USB slot on right and left.

Looking at the USB volume, it is formatted in NTFS (by the very tool from DELL that asked for my ServiceCode to create the image with) and read on some forums when googling that need to turn of UEFI to be able to boot from external USB (which may cause probs until turn back) - I did NOT do this since didn't get told by official sources. I'd expect the USB is formatted correctly because was made by DELL app. However, as I type this, I wonder if it is because I am using a 128GB sandisk usb and it asks for min 16gb. Perhaps 128GB crossed some threshold where Dell app can't format in FAT?

I looked for and found a newer 1.28.0 but it was in exe form and his PC doesn't yet start so if the menu choices don't appear due to BIOS - need another way to install it.

Lastly, I did check BIOS and boot from USB and external ports were checked.

nyc10036 · Answer

Try doing this on another PC.

Clintlgm · Answer

Don't turn off your UEFI or safe boot, hitting /

F12 on startup should have given you an option to boot UEFI USB.

I do know that changing your BIOS/UEFI back to legacy is not going to help but will cause you more issues. I assume that you Cloned the old hard drive to the new SSD, and now you're unable to clone the new SSD from the old SSD? If you don't have to original partitions on the current hard Drive/SSD you can't recover. you'll have to repair your current Windows or clean install again assuming you don't have a backup image you can restore.

Media Creation Tool

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html

Download your hardware drivers from Support/enter Model number and Service Tag Number, there you will find your User Manual, Service Manual, hardware drivers, and Dell Software.

For Future reference check out Macrium Reflect Free, it will allow you to create HardDrive/SSD Images that can be restored in 10 to 20 minutes without issues. to your original hard drive or to a new replacement SSD even a larger one,

Varsuuk · Answer

By try using this on another PC - I assume creating the recovery USB? I will do that.

Varsuuk · Answer

No, to most of what you said

Although I suspected turning off UEFI would be a Bad Thing(tm) at some point so I never even did it to see if it would boot the USB.

My son's drive was causing a failure (do not recall what exactly. I believe it was just rebooting but I don't recall - bad bad memory (on ME, not the PC) - I do know that the support assistant pinned it on a bad drive. I HAD his new SSD sitting around for months meaning to get around to transferring to it when the PC still worked but never did.

So I simply removed the old HD and put in the new SSD - this now tests fine on the Support assistant (other than saying no boot capable drive)

---

So, this tool I listed above is NOT what you use to ReOS the laptop?

Basically, his HD died (or has issues), I put in a new one and want to reinstall Windows 10 and if it is possible, whatever drivers and software Dell puts on these that is needed or useful, if any.

What are my steps? (one of the google hits implied that NTFS USB won't work with UEFI to boot up. I used a 128GB sansisk thumbdrive. I also have an 8GB but even though the 128GB drive has way less than 8GB used, the recovery maker wont let me select the recently formatted to FAT 8GB. I USED to have a 16GB USB but cannot find it now it may have been lost or broken by my wife, rings a bell.

Varsuuk · Answer

Tried it with FAT32 formatted then ran the USB creator and it remained FAT32 (64GB usb)

Still same boot screen when hit F12 (took pic but not sure how to upload)

basically:

Boot mode is set to: UEFI; Secure boot is on; PTT is on

UEFI BOOT:

—— Windows Boot Manager

OTHER OPTIONS:

———Bios setup

———Bios flash update

———Diagnostics

———Change Bootmode settings

nothing ng about booting?

Varsuuk · Answer

Additional info:

Tried booting off a USB created with MS Page: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

This got it to boot and start the install procedure (immediately exited) so at least we know the USBs are bootable in it. I did NOT see a boot from or reinstall menu when hit F12 with it installed - but need to run to work now and will ceck back from there.

Inspiron

Inspiron 13-5378, Unable to use Dell OS Recovery USB

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