I got my Inspiron 5010 on 20th Oct. I was unable to create recovery disc with Dell DataSafe Local Backup because it could not detect the partition.
Using wichitamann's reply I found the hidden partition and saw that it was active.
I emailed Dell support and they confirmed that there was a problem with DataSafe Local. They said to try uninstalling and reinstalling it and gave me a link to DataSafe Online. I did not want DataSafe Online. They also said to arrange a two-hour slot for Dell to remotely take-over my computer. Based on this thread, I saw this as a last resort.
I found a Dell Knowledge Base Article "
Computers with Dell DataSafe Local and Windows 7 May Experience Stuttering During Media Playback". This was not my problem but one solution was to "Manually Update Dell DataSafe Local in Windows 7". So I tried it, whilst connected to the internet.
1. Windows key, Computer, click on C: drive.
2. Program Files (x686)/Dell DataSafe Local Backup/Components/DSUpdate
3. Click DSUpdate (an .exe file shown as type "Application")
4. It updated from version 9.4.40 to 9.4.48
5. It did something with the partition.
6. It told me to "reboot". I shut down and restarted the laptop normally.
7. I launched Dell DataSafe Local Backup.
8. This new version detected the partition and enabled me to make recovery discs.
9. I needed two DVD's and it took one hour to create the recovery discs.
The easiest solution (which I did on the first 9100 I got for work a few months back) was to email Dell and have them mail the CDs/DVD needed for re-install. Back in the old days they would just include all this stuff with the computer. I miss that. Here's the link. Good luck.
Downgraded to winxp, but then later wanted to reupgrade to Win7. Managed to do it after much messing around and "bootfix"-ing. The F8 bootup gives me the restore factory image, and it has worked.
I have taken a copy of the ".WIM" image file from the recovery partition so worst case I CAN do a manual reinstall. But now I'd like to make some proper recovery discs (forgot to do it before the original downgrade) and am just getting that same message you guys have been getting from the in-OS Dell Datasafe. Have yet to try the "TagxDEPart.exe" trick... Any advice on how to do it?
Also, my Dell has, of course, just gone out of warranty, so now the options to email Dell tech support has been removed from the website for me. AND the order form for media won't work in the UK anyway...
Anywhere you guys know I can download an image of the right Dell Recovery Media dvds online?
I probably created my issue but a few weeks back I installed Windows 8 CP so I could dual boot to it. Just afterwards I brought some DVDs so I could belatedly use the backup software to create a system media restore group of discs. When I load it up it says the recovery partition cannot be found. Now, I know it exists as I can see the partition in Disk Management in Windows. I assume that me shrinking the main partition by 20GB so I could create a partition for Windows 8 may have confused the backup media. How do I get it to see it again?
You dont. The Datasafe Recovery Partition is encrypted. Changing the partition structure breaks the encrypition to become garbage. If you had done the basic Backup using dell datasafe on a 16 gig or larger USB Flash drive you would be able to recover everything back to factory spec. Because of what you have done its Broken forever. WIN7 is not like the old Dell Vista with a WIM file and partition that could be cloned etc. The Dell Datasafe 2.0 partition is NTFS encrypted and cannot be cloned.
Ahh, well. That's that then. No point keeping the recovery partition. May as well have that space back. I have all the DVD media etc and I can burn the latest versions of drivers etc to DVD. Just as quick as bringing up an old recovery OS.
This was quite a good thing to happen. Can you please send me the link so that I can also try the same, as the laptop has a hidden factory partition which I cannot access and maybe, like you, I will also be lucky to get the factory image disks prepared.
Most of you have probably done this already, but be sure and go to this web page and request the DVDs. I have done this twice now successfully for two different systems where the Recovery Manager software was unable to burn the discs correctly.
vimal123
1 Message
0
October 1st, 2010 00:00
I have the same issue on my new inspiron 15 laptop. Please let me knwo how to fix it ?
angrynik
4 Posts
0
October 25th, 2010 10:00
Exactly the same issue on an Inspiron N5010 right out the box.
This is poor that a computer manufacturer ships computers that fail to work properly the first time you turn them on.
I now understand why people told me to keep away from dells.
:emotion-42:
JP2010
1 Message
0
October 26th, 2010 01:00
I got my Inspiron 5010 on 20th Oct. I was unable to create recovery disc with Dell DataSafe Local Backup because it could not detect the partition.
Using wichitamann's reply I found the hidden partition and saw that it was active.
I emailed Dell support and they confirmed that there was a problem with DataSafe Local. They said to try uninstalling and reinstalling it and gave me a link to DataSafe Online. I did not want DataSafe Online. They also said to arrange a two-hour slot for Dell to remotely take-over my computer. Based on this thread, I saw this as a last resort.
I found a Dell Knowledge Base Article "
Computers with Dell DataSafe Local and Windows 7 May Experience Stuttering During Media Playback". This was not my problem but one solution was to "Manually Update Dell DataSafe Local in Windows 7". So I tried it, whilst connected to the internet.1. Windows key, Computer, click on C: drive.
2. Program Files (x686)/Dell DataSafe Local Backup/Components/DSUpdate
3. Click DSUpdate (an .exe file shown as type "Application")
4. It updated from version 9.4.40 to 9.4.48
5. It did something with the partition.
6. It told me to "reboot". I shut down and restarted the laptop normally.
7. I launched Dell DataSafe Local Backup.
8. This new version detected the partition and enabled me to make recovery discs.
9. I needed two DVD's and it took one hour to create the recovery discs.
hikingmonk
3 Posts
0
November 29th, 2010 10:00
Thank you very much. This solution worked perfectly on my 9100 XPS.
CherokeeSinging
1 Message
0
July 25th, 2011 18:00
Didn't work for me, Set partition active is greyed out and can't be selected. Just had motherboard & hard drive replaced this morning (July 25, 2011).
hikingmonk
3 Posts
0
July 25th, 2011 18:00
The easiest solution (which I did on the first 9100 I got for work a few months back) was to email Dell and have them mail the CDs/DVD needed for re-install. Back in the old days they would just include all this stuff with the computer. I miss that. Here's the link. Good luck.
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&l=en&s=dhs
Neak
9 Posts
0
January 27th, 2012 15:00
Allo! Inspiron 15R n5010 Bought in the UK.
Downgraded to winxp, but then later wanted to reupgrade to Win7. Managed to do it after much messing around and "bootfix"-ing. The F8 bootup gives me the restore factory image, and it has worked.
I have taken a copy of the ".WIM" image file from the recovery partition so worst case I CAN do a manual reinstall. But now I'd like to make some proper recovery discs (forgot to do it before the original downgrade) and am just getting that same message you guys have been getting from the in-OS Dell Datasafe. Have yet to try the "TagxDEPart.exe" trick... Any advice on how to do it?
Also, my Dell has, of course, just gone out of warranty, so now the options to email Dell tech support has been removed from the website for me. AND the order form for media won't work in the UK anyway...
Anywhere you guys know I can download an image of the right Dell Recovery Media dvds online?
StephenCWLL
6 Posts
0
April 1st, 2012 10:00
I probably created my issue but a few weeks back I installed Windows 8 CP so I could dual boot to it. Just afterwards I brought some DVDs so I could belatedly use the backup software to create a system media restore group of discs. When I load it up it says the recovery partition cannot be found. Now, I know it exists as I can see the partition in Disk Management in Windows. I assume that me shrinking the main partition by 20GB so I could create a partition for Windows 8 may have confused the backup media. How do I get it to see it again?
speedstep
9 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
April 2nd, 2012 09:00
You dont. The Datasafe Recovery Partition is encrypted. Changing the partition structure breaks the encrypition to become garbage. If you had done the basic Backup using dell datasafe on a 16 gig or larger USB Flash drive you would be able to recover everything back to factory spec. Because of what you have done its Broken forever. WIN7 is not like the old Dell Vista with a WIM file and partition that could be cloned etc. The Dell Datasafe 2.0 partition is NTFS encrypted and cannot be cloned.
StephenCWLL
6 Posts
0
April 4th, 2012 05:00
Ahh, well. That's that then. No point keeping the recovery partition. May as well have that space back. I have all the DVD media etc and I can burn the latest versions of drivers etc to DVD. Just as quick as bringing up an old recovery OS.
Thanks!
irfaanfaki
1 Message
1
April 21st, 2012 05:00
Hi guys- after hours of trying iRealized the answer was super simple.
1.) right click 'computer' and select "manage"
2.) select "disk management" from the list
3.) locate the recovery partition and select "change drive letter and paths..."
4.) you will be asked to give a drive letter to allow acces
5.) select yes and add any drive letter you wish :)
6.) your recovery drive now shows up in my computer and you can continue creating your recovery media
This fixed my problem in half a minute hope it helps others with the problem :):)
seifkady
1 Message
1
April 29th, 2012 05:00
I had the same problem with my new dell xps 15, I searched for days and finally found a solution.
I uninstalled the dell data safe program and reinstalled it again and it worked beautifully...
srishti25
1 Rookie
•
5 Posts
0
November 27th, 2012 03:00
This was quite a good thing to happen. Can you please send me the link so that I can also try the same, as the laptop has a hidden factory partition which I cannot access and maybe, like you, I will also be lucky to get the factory image disks prepared.
syedfayaz
9 Posts
0
January 12th, 2013 04:00
hi to all,
i m facing same issue since year now, i sent more than 100 mails but no one even thinked to reply the mail, i feel this is worst service i got,
hope you guys think before buying anything from dell,
hikingmonk
3 Posts
0
January 14th, 2013 06:00
Most of you have probably done this already, but be sure and go to this web page and request the DVDs. I have done this twice now successfully for two different systems where the Recovery Manager software was unable to burn the discs correctly.
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form