This post is more than 5 years old
1 Rookie
•
21 Posts
0
12117
February 9th, 2015 04:00
Can I create a second Windows 7 boot disk?
Here's the question:
Although I have a perfectly good Windows 7 installation that came with the Inspiron 3847, can I format a second drive and re-install it from scratch on that one?
Here's why...
When I first received my computer a few weeks ago, it ran great and I started installing all my programs. One specific program ran fine at first, but after a week, it started crashing with a stackhash_2264 error. I researched it to death and found nothing. I just installed MS Expressions, and it is also crashing with the same error. I have to figure that something that I installed along the way is not playing nicely with others. I've tried booting with only the essential services and startups, but nothing works.
What I'd like to do is to do a fresh install and start installing my programs in the same order that I did initially and pinpoint the spot where things went awry. I've spent a LOT of time installing and configuring all of my programs, and I really don't want to uninstall everything if that can be avoided.
Thanks for any help
0 events found
speedstep
11 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
February 9th, 2015 06:00
DBAR = Dell Backup And Recovery. If your menu button has UPDATE you have 1.5 or 1.6 and should UPDATE DBAR BEFORE MAKING the USB Recovery Media.
You cannot backup everything including new installed software without the $paid version of DBAR. For that I recommend a 128 GIG usb flash drive from Microcenter that costs $50.
Mine was 1.6 and I got my 3847 at christmas with Windows 8 pro label "with windows 7 pro installed" so it was important to me that I get a GOOD backup that would work in case of disaster.
If you have the older version I would erase the backup on the flash drive and do it again. The new version 1.7 will restore onto any size hard drive whereas the old version will insist that it has as large or larger a drive to work with.
Aka I used an old 80 gig drive that I nuked to see if the bootable restore flash drive would work.
USB drives will last for 50 years without issues but DVD burned recovery disks deteriorate over 10 years or less.
Dell Backup and Recovery. DBAR
These issues Existed with the Data safe Application as well.
Download Dell Backup and Recovery
1. 16 Gig or larger USB 2.0 media should be recommended over Burned DVD's because they just don't last.
2. You cannot recover to a drive SMALLER Than the original drive AKA 250 GIG SSD cannot be the recovery drive with 1TB or 500 gig drive removed. (This was fixed with version 1.7.0.64)
3. The recovery partition is encrypted instead of a hidden factory WIM file that can be saved. This also means you cannot use Ghost or Acronis to Clone the drive and retain the F8 factory restore.
(This too was fixed with version 1.7.0.64)
4. A recovery media made with the previous versions of DBAR cannot be upgraded. You have to update or install the newer version and then do a full bootable backup.
The issue with needing 3 DVD's or more to make recovery media is one of reliability.
Thats why I recommend a 16 Gig or Larger USB flash drive instead. (It requires 10 gigs min to do)
"Error 0x4001100200001005 if problem persists contact Dell support".
The reason you get Error 0x4001100200001005 is because the OEM hard drive was replaced with a retail hard drive. OEM drives are "tattooed" or branded and the DELL recovery media will search for it before installing. This is also why you cannot clone Dell Drives to new blank hard drives.
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Cruzer-Low-Profile-Drive--SDCZ33-016G-B35/dp/B005FYNSZA
http://www.staples.com/Kingston-DataTraveler-SE9-16GB-USB-20-USB-Flash-Drive-Silver/product_733464
speedstep
11 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
February 9th, 2015 10:00
Yes the factory restore recovery boot usb will put that image back on ANY hard drive after you upgrade the software to the latest version. In my case I wanted to see if the factory restore worked on a drive I had laying around that I nuked so it was blank. The reason I did that is because my 3847 didn't come with any discs or COA. Just windows 8 Label with windows 7 installed.
Dell_Backup_and_Recovery_1.7.5.64.exe comes from here:
Download Dell Backup and Recovery
speedstep
11 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
February 9th, 2015 05:00
The answer is Yes and No.
You can only if you are updated to the latest DBAR.
Earlier versions will look for the tatoo'ed OEM hard drive.
If the Dbar screen has a large Grey Update button you should update.
You can also manually download 1.7.0.64
enchant
1 Rookie
•
21 Posts
0
February 9th, 2015 05:00
Please excuse my ignorance, but I don't know what DBAR is or where to find the "Dbar screen". I looked in Help and Support for it but found nothing. Googling it only returns local drinking establishments.
enchant
1 Rookie
•
21 Posts
0
February 9th, 2015 06:00
Thanks again. I have V1.7, but one of the last things you said answers my question.
"OEM drives are "tattooed" or branded and the DELL recovery media will search for it before installing. This is also why you cannot clone Dell Drives to new blank hard drives."
So the answer is no. :(
enchant
1 Rookie
•
21 Posts
0
February 9th, 2015 07:00
Ah, ok. So since I have a recent version, I wouldn't have that problem.
But unless I've missed something, this is to restore a backup that I would make now, which isn't what I'm looking for. I want a vanilla empty Win7 install with none of the programs that I added. Can I do this with DBAR?
speedstep
11 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
February 9th, 2015 07:00
DBAR does factory restore not vanilla 7 install.
speedstep
11 Legend
•
47K Posts
0
February 9th, 2015 07:00
The answer is not No when you use/install/update to 1.7.5.64 downloaded from Dell and then do the backup.
Release date
The Tattoo issue is resolved for the backup made AFTER updating to 1.7.5.64 and rebooting and making a brand new USB flash Recovery.
You cannot update the recovery media you have to do a new one from scratch erasing anything on that media.
These issues Existed with the Data safe Application as well.
Download Dell Backup and Recovery
enchant
1 Rookie
•
21 Posts
0
February 9th, 2015 07:00
I have version 1.7.5.63 and I don't see a grey Update button.
speedstep
11 Legend
•
47K Posts
1
February 9th, 2015 07:00
The recent version is less than 2 weeks old.
enchant
1 Rookie
•
21 Posts
0
February 9th, 2015 08:00
Well, by vanilla, I simply mean the way it arrived at my house before I started installing MS office, photoshop, etc., etc... Is that what I'll get?
enchant
1 Rookie
•
21 Posts
0
February 9th, 2015 10:00
Well that IS great news. Thanks for all your help!