Can't re-install Windows7 from USB key created with Dell Datasafe Local Backup

Question

Hello

I created recovery media from Dell Datasafe Local Backup and saved it to a USB key.

However my Dell Inspiron Laptop only has USB 3.0 ports so when I try to boot into the USB Key it tells me: "The system recovery image cannot be found. If you are trying to restore your pc from a USB 3.0 (blue) USB Port please connect it to a different USB Port, restart your PC and try Recovery again".

If my laptop does not have the older USB 2 ports and apparently Windows 7 does not come with native USB 3 support then how can I re-install my system using this USB key I made from Dell Datasafe Local backup?

I tried making a DVD set from Dell Datasafe but it failed I think there is a bug in the DVD recovery media routine of Datasafe Local Backup.

Am I better off requesting Dell to send me an OEM DVD re-installation set? How would I do that?

Thanks.

Philip_Yip · Accepted Answer

First try changing this setting in the BIOS setup Disable USB 3.0 functionality to install Windows 7 from a USB Flash Drive

With regards to requesting the Reinstalaltion DVD which I recommend. For US customers there is an online request form for Reinstallation Media. For those customers not in the US you will need to contact Dell technical support and ask for one. The customer numbers are available here. Once you have the Reinstallation DVD follow my wiki A Clean Install of Windows 7. If you have troubles requesting the reinstallation DVD vote on the poll here.

SeanieOS · Answer

Philip

Thank you very much for the quick reply! I had a look through the links you provided. That's some pretty impressive work you've done on bringing together a vast amount of information making the daunting task of re-installing Windows from scratch less intimidating.

I feel a lot more confident now about doing a full re-install of Windows 7.

Cheers.

dachief123 · Answer

sorry but a lot of these responses have no bearing on the problem of Dell have a piece of software that's junk.

Brand new inspiron, win-7, changed bios and datasafe STILL can't recognize a flash drive that windows says is accessible and working fine.

I even uninstalled/reinstalled their s/w to no avail.

FIX your software so that it actually works as promised!

dachief123 · Answer

one addition to my above complaint... first tried to use dvd-s and datasafe hung at 5% of the verify process. Is this what people are to expect from a dell product and its software?

theflash1932 · Answer

'sorry but a lot of these responses have no bearing on the problem' It's not your thread to decide what does and does not have bearing on the problem the OP had. Yes, DataSafe is junk.  Don't use it.  Order an actual installation DVD or use Retail media to do a clean installation of Windows, then use the built-in Windows backup software (or some third-party of your choosing) to create image backups.  If you need help with your specific situtation, create a new thread for which you can decide whether the responses have bearing on your issue or not.

SeanieOS · Answer

Hi dachief123

Like the flash1932 said, the best thing is to just order the re-installation media on DVD from Dell and take images of your system after you have installed so you can roll back to them. I saved my images on a usb drive but at first I couldn't install them because my Inspiron only has USB 3.0 ports.

If your computer only has USB 3.0 ports then you have to install USB 3.0 drivers before you can re-install Windows 7 from a USB Key. That's because Windows 7 does not have those drivers built in to it by default. I figured out how to do this and I can explain to you if you are interested? Let me now here or send me a private message.

Cheers,

SeanieOS · Answer

For any moderators looking at this... I meant for that post to go in this thread:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/p/19480231/20458374.aspx#20458374

Looks like that thread is now closed however.

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Can't re-install Windows7 from USB key created with Dell Datasafe Local Backup

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