I'm experiencing the exact same problem. If "raydarz" found a solution outside this forum, please share. If anybody else knows what the fix is, please advise.
raydarz here. added a 1 to my second login account - long story toouble linking my community to my dell account or something????
Anyhow.... I phone Dell support. After troubleshooting on the phone for nearly 3 hours I was told to reinstall the complete operating system. I had backed up using the Datasafe On-line so all my files were reloaded. Downside ... it took a while to reload the OS (Vista) and over 9 hours to reload files from datasafe. Another downside is that any other programs were loaded (eg ITunes) need to be reloaded) The other downside... It didn't fix the problem. Dell is sending a replacement unit for the CD/DVD Drive. If that doesn't work, then the Dell software people may have to get involved. Later
THAT is not what the users information indicates. So I bought DVD+ RW specifically for the purpose of Dell backup and I could have used the CD/R disks after all. After many hours on the phone with Dell support they never said that was the case. after reloading the whole of my operating system, this is the answer? After two months, I might add.
Some OJT at Dell may be in order.
Who are you? If you are not affiliated with Dell you should charge them.
The only contact was with Dell support in the P.I. As mentioned above they sent a new drive (no help), asked me to reload my opearing system (did that) and spent hours on the phone. The problem? I had DVD-RW disks. Should have been DVD-R.
I eventually got the local backup to work...kind of.... there were three disks required, even though the on-line instructions read disk 1of2 followed by 1 of 2, followed by 2 of 2. I give up. Dell support..what's that? Next time it is a MAC.
I tried to do a backup this morning and found that only DVD R DL or DVD R will work it does not matter + - the backup and recovery is to big for anyhting else and it does require at least 2 DVD DL disks. I did have a problem getting the program to split into smaller chunks to be able to put them on CDR.
Reinstalling the operating system is bad advice. They should have known better then to tell you that. I was having the same problem with my brand new Studio 1555 which I've only had 5 days. I ruined 2 DVD's. I used DVD+R DL. It rejected the disk before even starting. I tried again tonight. This time it accepted the DVD, it went through the entire process, then it said Failed. Try again with another DVD or cancel. Well I decided I would try it one more time. This time it said backed up successfully. That wasn't the only problem I had with the drive. I few nights ago I inserted a DVD movie in it. It did not play. I received message that the DVD inserted was for the wrong region for this Drive. It gave me an option to change the drives region, and stated that I can only do this 5 times. I changed the region to United States/Canada. Why would I have to do this?
I havve a Dell authorized tech in my house right now. He said for back-up a DVD - R must be used. This is what I eventually got to and it appeared to backup the system. The MINUS R (DVD -R) is important, apparently.
I have been trying to create a back up restore disc, but the program Dell datasafe local backup is not on my computer. I have tried every way to contact them but just go around in circles.
How do I find out how to create a backup disc. They do not supply the original discs with new computers so if my computer completly failed I would not be able to re-instal my windows 7 operating system?
You need to contact Dell Tech Support and explain that Datasafe Local is not installed on your computer. They will either give you a way to download and install that application, or send you the installation disk for your operating system.
EDIT: If you are using Windows 7 you also have the option of using the Windows 7 back-up feature to image the drive and make a start-up disk allowing you to restore that image. I would warn you that although I was able to do that on my son's computer, when I tried to boot the start-up disk it failed to completely boot and returned an error. I still don't know why, and when I complained to Dell I eventually received the Windows 7 installation DVD.
Thanks for that but the problem is getting in touch with Dell, if I have to telephone them its on a premium rate call, and you are held in a queue for around twenty minutes, so by the time you can actually speak to someone you could have probably bought another windows installation disk for the same price anyway.
I just wanted to get in touch with Dell via e-mail and ask them to send the disk, but that seems impossible
If your machine is still within the warranty period you should be able to use Chat. Much less expensive than a phone call, but of course you need to be living in a region in which this resource is offered. If you can't use Chat, I'm afraid there isn't an alternative to calling them.
cap10john
2 Posts
1
June 25th, 2009 17:00
I'm experiencing the exact same problem. If "raydarz" found a solution outside this forum, please share. If anybody else knows what the fix is, please advise.
Raydarz1
6 Posts
0
June 26th, 2009 19:00
raydarz here. added a 1 to my second login account - long story toouble linking my community to my dell account or something????
Anyhow.... I phone Dell support. After troubleshooting on the phone for nearly 3 hours I was told to reinstall the complete operating system. I had backed up using the Datasafe On-line so all my files were reloaded. Downside ... it took a while to reload the OS (Vista) and over 9 hours to reload files from datasafe. Another downside is that any other programs were loaded (eg ITunes) need to be reloaded) The other downside... It didn't fix the problem. Dell is sending a replacement unit for the CD/DVD Drive. If that doesn't work, then the Dell software people may have to get involved. Later
dbw204
1 Message
0
June 26th, 2009 20:00
5 tim
Raydarz1
6 Posts
0
June 26th, 2009 20:00
:emotion-8: Raydarz and raydarz1 here. see previous post... not sure which password was finally updated.
Raydarz1
6 Posts
0
August 1st, 2009 15:00
Gerry Kingston
1 Message
0
September 14th, 2009 09:00
Yes I have had exactly the same experience. As part of my investigationsI Iooked for the drive's manual and could not find it!
Does anybody know where it might be located? Does Dell ever contribute to these discussions?
Raydarz1
6 Posts
0
September 14th, 2009 10:00
The only contact was with Dell support in the P.I. As mentioned above they sent a new drive (no help), asked me to reload my opearing system (did that) and spent hours on the phone. The problem? I had DVD-RW disks. Should have been DVD-R.
I eventually got the local backup to work...kind of.... there were three disks required, even though the on-line instructions read disk 1of2 followed by 1 of 2, followed by 2 of 2. I give up. Dell support..what's that? Next time it is a MAC.
subhuman2
2 Posts
0
December 2nd, 2009 09:00
I tried to do a backup this morning and found that only DVD R DL or DVD R will work it does not matter + - the backup and recovery is to big for anyhting else and it does require at least 2 DVD DL disks. I did have a problem getting the program to split into smaller chunks to be able to put them on CDR.
Darrel112
2 Intern
•
278 Posts
0
December 10th, 2009 22:00
Reinstalling the operating system is bad advice. They should have known better then to tell you that. I was having the same problem with my brand new Studio 1555 which I've only had 5 days. I ruined 2 DVD's. I used DVD+R DL. It rejected the disk before even starting. I tried again tonight. This time it accepted the DVD, it went through the entire process, then it said Failed. Try again with another DVD or cancel. Well I decided I would try it one more time. This time it said backed up successfully. That wasn't the only problem I had with the drive. I few nights ago I inserted a DVD movie in it. It did not play. I received message that the DVD inserted was for the wrong region for this Drive. It gave me an option to change the drives region, and stated that I can only do this 5 times. I changed the region to United States/Canada. Why would I have to do this?
Raydarz1
6 Posts
0
December 14th, 2009 14:00
I havve a Dell authorized tech in my house right now. He said for back-up a DVD - R must be used. This is what I eventually got to and it appeared to backup the system. The MINUS R (DVD -R) is important, apparently.
jacton
22 Posts
0
July 29th, 2010 07:00
I have been trying to create a back up restore disc, but the program Dell datasafe local backup is not on my computer. I have tried every way to contact them but just go around in circles.
How do I find out how to create a backup disc. They do not supply the original discs with new computers so if my computer completly failed I would not be able to re-instal my windows 7 operating system?
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
July 29th, 2010 09:00
You need to contact Dell Tech Support and explain that Datasafe Local is not installed on your computer. They will either give you a way to download and install that application, or send you the installation disk for your operating system.
EDIT: If you are using Windows 7 you also have the option of using the Windows 7 back-up feature to image the drive and make a start-up disk allowing you to restore that image. I would warn you that although I was able to do that on my son's computer, when I tried to boot the start-up disk it failed to completely boot and returned an error. I still don't know why, and when I complained to Dell I eventually received the Windows 7 installation DVD.
jacton
22 Posts
0
July 29th, 2010 10:00
Thanks for that but the problem is getting in touch with Dell, if I have to telephone them its on a premium rate call, and you are held in a queue for around twenty minutes, so by the time you can actually speak to someone you could have probably bought another windows installation disk for the same price anyway.
I just wanted to get in touch with Dell via e-mail and ask them to send the disk, but that seems impossible
thanks
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
July 29th, 2010 13:00
If your machine is still within the warranty period you should be able to use Chat. Much less expensive than a phone call, but of course you need to be living in a region in which this resource is offered. If you can't use Chat, I'm afraid there isn't an alternative to calling them.
rbjfire
1 Message
0
August 25th, 2010 08:00
datasafe backup doesn't support rewritable discs.