Windows Recovery Environment

Question

Hi, I just bought a Dell Inspiron 660 running Windows 7. I have Linux installed on my machine, using dual-boot. I tried to invoke Dell DataSafe to create a recovery disk, but when I came to the first screen - where you chose between disk and usb - I was unable to choose either and was thus unable to proceed. So... my first question is why am I having this problem with Dell DataSafe. Next, I tried to re-install Dell DataSafe, but was told that I had to delete the current program first. Foolishly, I did just that. And when I then tried to re-install Dell DataSafe, I was told that it wasn't possible because my machine did not have the Windows Recovery Environment, and sure enough, when I rebooted my machine and pressed F8 at the Dell prompt, I skipped right through to the grub menu,  Is all of this happening because of dual-boot? Thanks in advance, s660117

DELL-Amogh G · Answer

Hi s660117,

It seems that the issue is due to dual boot. Please paste a screenshot of disk management, if possible. You may follow the steps below:

Go to ‘Control Panel’
Please ensure ‘View by’ option is selected as ‘Category’ at the top right hand side.
Click ‘System and Security’
Click ‘Administrative Tools’
Click ‘Computer Management’
Click ‘Disk Management’, located on the left-hand side of the Computer Management window, under the Storage heading. If you don't see it, you may need to expand Storage by clicking > icon.

Keep me posted with the information. I will be glad to assist further.

s660117 · Answer

And - I should emphasize - I had the problem executing Dell DataSafe before I set up dual-boot. s660117

s660117 · Answer

Thanks for the quick answer. I am having a problem pasting a jpg file into this space. Any suggestions? s660117

BJFox · Answer

The same problem exists with AlienRespawn (same program as DataSafe with a tweaked UI for Alienware). If you do a clean install of Windows 8 to cleaned drive space or a new drive, you cannot install the program because the "Windows Recovery Environment" is not present. I have looked all over the web, and there is basically nothing useful about how to install Windows 8 with the Recovery Environment. Only find information about WindowsPE media, which is not a substitute.

It almost seems like the "Windows Recovery Environment" might be something exclusively for OEMs that ship systems without installation media, which can be used to create recovery (not clean OS installation) media. It would be nice if there was some comprehensive documentation on this available to end users.

s660117 · Answer

Amogh, can you see my screen print of Disk Management?

BJFox.... I believe that Windows Recovery Environment is a Windows feature utilized by Dell. As far as I understand, the environment should have been part of my Dell build, which does not provide an installation CD.

s660117.

BJFox · Answer

I cannot see your screen shots, so Amogh probably cannot either.

I think you are correct. I believe the WindowsRE is a feature that many OEMs (including Dell) are using for customers to create recovery media, but I would like to know how (if it is possible) to set that up on a new Windows installation. I cannot find any meaningful information or documentation about that on the web.

DELL-Amogh G · Answer

Hi s660117,

I am not able to see the screenshot. Below are the screenshots on how to attach files. To reply click on 'Use rich formatting':

Once you click on the icon, a window will open. Click on 'Browse' to browse the image. Once the file is uploaded, click on 'Insert':

Keep me posted with the information. I will be glad to assist further.

DELL-Amogh G · Answer

Hi BJFox,

The recovery partition can be created on the system after doing a clean reinstallation as well. I would suggest you to install all the drivers and certain basic applications and then install ‘Dell Backup and Recovery’ software on the system. You may refer to the link: http://dell.to/11tReHE.

Basically, while installing ‘Dell Backup and Recovery’ it takes the snapshot of HDD in current state and creates a recovery partition accordingly. I would recommend you to back up all the data, remove it from the system and then install ‘Dell Backup and Recovery’. For example if I have to create recovery media I will install ‘Dell Backup and Recovery’ with just the operating system, drivers and some basic applications.

Hope this helps. Please feel free to reply if you have any further questions.

DELL-Amogh G · Answer

Hi s660117,

You may uninstall and reinstall Dell Datasafe Local. However you need to delete all the partitions apart from the C:\ partition to reinstall Dell Datasafe. You may refer to the link: http://dell.to/15ryCwk.

Basically, while installing the Datasafe it takes the snapshot of HDD in current state and creates a recovery partition accordingly. I would recommend you to back up all the data, remove it from the system and then install the Datasafe Local. For example if I have to create recovery media I will install Datasafe Local with just the operating system, drivers and some basic applications.

Hope this helps. Please feel free to reply for any other assistance.

olafburch · Answer

To get rid of Windows data corruption problem with the help of Windows data recovery software without any hassle. The software now compatibles with all Windows versions such as Windows 10/8.1/ 8/ Windows 7/ Vista / XP. To gather more information about the program, go with this link http://www.datarepairtools.com

Windows General

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