Can't proceed with creating a USB Flash Recovery Drive

Hi protonic,

The Start tab only gets highlighted once the system recognizes the USB drive or the DVD.  The Start tab is enabled when you insert a DVD but disabled while using the USB, this indicates that the system is not recognizing the USB drive. Please try to insert the USB on alternate ports and check if the start button is enabled.

Also, disable the USB debug option from the BIOS and then try to start the backup.

 Power off the computer

Thanks for the quick response.  

You mentioned that "the system is not recognizing the USB drive".  I think I should mention that I can copy files to and from my USB flash drives without any problem.  Very normal.  So far, the only thing that I can't do with my USB flash drives is using them as Recovery Drives. 

Upon your suggestion, I inserted a USB flash drive on the other USB ports (tried all 4 ports).  The problem was not solved. 

Finally, I made sure that the USB debug option in the BIOS is disabled.  It was already disabled to begin with, so I changed nothing. 

The problem still persists.  I already tried 4 different USB flash drives, and they all fail to enable the Start button.  Do you have any other ideas/suggestions?

(For some reason, my last post acquired a format/layout that deems it unreadable under some web browsers.  I'm reposting it here: )

Thanks for the quick response.  

You mentioned that "the system is not recognizing the USB drive".  I think I should mention that I can copy files to and from my USB flash drives without any problem.  Very normal.  So far, the only thing that I can't do with my USB flash drives is using them as Recovery Drives.

Upon your suggestion, I inserted a USB flash drive on the other USB ports (tried all 4 ports).  The problem was not solved.

Finally, I made sure that the USB debug option in the BIOS is disabled.  It was already disabled to begin with, so I changed nothing.

The problem still persists.  I already tried 4 different USB flash drives, and they all fail to enable the Start button.  Do you have any other ideas/suggestions?

I switched off my wireless by Fn+F2.  Unfortunately, my problem is not solved.  Can I have a link to the other thread that discusses my same concerns?  Would be much appreciated!

Some other people on another thread had the same problem.

One suggested switching off the wireless and bluetooth and this worked for some people. Press Fn and F2 and then retry making the recovery media.

Please vote on my poll to make requesting Reinstallation media easier:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/t/19476992.aspx

I also tried changing the filesystem of one of my USB flash drives to NTFS, but this did not solve the problem.  I can also inform you that my computer is a Dell Inspiron 15R Special Edition (7520).

There are 2 threads here:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19481434.aspx

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3526/p/19480872/20255457.aspx#20255457

I tried creating a Recovery DVD, but an error occurred.  The specific error wasn't stated though.  THe unfinished DVD writable disk got ejected.  

Upon restarting, I got a screen stating that

----------------

Your PC needs to be repaired

The Boot Configuration Data file doesn't contain valid information for an operating system.

File: \BCD

Error code 0xc0000098

You'll need to use the recovery tools on your installation media.  If you don't have any installation media, contact your system administrator or PC manufacturer.

----------------

So it appears that the "Dell backup and recovery" app has now disabled booting the PC for good.  Now I can't even use my PC.  This is really bad.  

I hope the Technical Support of Dell is reading this.  I'm basically at a dead end here.  Help please?

I cannot create recovery media either through USB or through the DVD drive.

The DELL software does not appear to function and I will have no way of re-installing my computer.

This is very shoddy.

If you can't get anywhere with DataSafe use a third party program such as Acronis True Image or Acronis WD edition.

I have created a section explaining how to do so with these in page 355 of my Windows Reinstallation guide.

You should be able to use the 30 day trial to create the image on an external hard drive and bootable media. You should be able to recover from the image after 30 day however (providing you have created the bootable media). If you have a WD internal or external HDD you can use the WD Acronis edition indefinately.

Yes I know exactly what you mean.

Thank you for the advice. It is a bit frustrating because eventually one has to rebuild your computer to 'clean' it up and Dell does not seem to provide the tools to allow this anymore when you purchase. I have always received rebuild disks when purchasing with Dell before but I suspect they are trying to save money by reducing their support. Not very customer friendly. I guess I will have to go and look at some 3rd party software - thank you for your recommendation.

I have made several polls and IdeaStorm ideas to combat this so if you have time add your vote to them:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/4465.windows-reinstallation-guide-ideastorm-ideas.aspx

I am also enquiring to Microsoft about it on other forums:

Way of Performing a Clean Install of Windows 8 OEM - Eghtforums 

A Clean Install of Windows 8 OEM - Media Download - Microsoft Answers 

Way of Performing a Clean Install of Windows 8 OEM - MyDigitalLife forums

Generally I recommend clean installation but it is impossible to do without the media.

Thank you for the advice. It is a bit frustrating because eventually one has to rebuild your computer to 'clean' it up and Dell does not seem to provide the tools to allow this anymore when you purchase. I have always received rebuild disks when purchasing with Dell before but I suspect they are trying to save money by reducing their support. Not very customer friendly.

I guess I will have to go and look at some 3rd party software - thank you for your recommendation.

Hi Protonic,

I faced the same problem when I tried with 16GB USB of Transcend make.  "Dell backup and recovery" app didn't  detect my pen drive even after 20 minutes of searching. Then I restarted and tried, but no use.

But on the next day I tried with the same pen drive. But fortunately my pen drive was detected after 10 minutes of searching and start button was then enabled. The backup was then successful.

You allow the app to search for long time to detect your device, this could be a solution.

I guess that re-installing your "Dell backup and recovery" app could detect your USB. Here the download link Dell

www.dellbackupandrecovery.com/.../Index.html

Try clicking on Recovery in the Windows 8 Control Panel, then click on Create a Recovery Drive, then make sure that there is a Check Mark next to Copy the Recovery Partition from the PC to the Recovery Drive and Click Next, Finally  insert a Blank USB Flash Drive as Instructed and Wait for the Copy to Finish. Hopefully this will help to create Recovery Media.