Hi Susan,

Dell Backup and Recovery software needs to updated before creating a recovery media. Please update the software by connecting the laptop to the Internet and by clicking on the “Update” tile and let me know if you need further assistance.

Thank you, Rajath!  I followed your suggestions and was able to successfully perform the image backup!!  

But I'm not familiar with this forum yet (I'm brand new to Dell products) so I don't know how to indicate that your answer solved my problem.  I don't know if there is a function for that on this forum.

Hi Av8rix,

Thank you for your reply and I am glad to know that the issue has been resolved. You will receive a check box to verify the answer when you reply to a post. Please place a check mark and then click “Reply”.

Hey Rajath,

I have a similar problem to Susans, the DVD gets detected but the start button cannot be clicked. I tried updating but it it says it is up to date.

Please help me ASAP.

Thank you

Same issue here, says the version (1.0.0.2) is current when I try to update it and yet I can't get it to let me start the Factory Backup process, the drive and disc is selected and has the green/white checkbox in the top right corner, but the start button remains greyed out.

I recommend creating a backup using Acronis and an external hard drive. See Windows Reinstallation Guide Section 3.

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/

This will give you a backup of your current configuration, which you may use until you resolve your issue creating media. Its better to have backups with Acronis in addition to the Dell DataSafe recovery USB or DVDs in case the latter doesn't work correctly.

You can also restore your system to the factory settings via the internal partition and create another backup which will be the factory settings. Should you wish to upgrade to Windows 8 and not install via a clean installation you can restore the first backup you made (i.e. of your current configuration). Then install Windows 8. Again once Windows 8 is installed and with all the drivers and up to date, you guessed it, you can make another backup. This will all be done within 30 day so the trial version should suffice for you. Although you may use the WD or Seagate variants depending if either your internal or external hard drive are WD or Seagate.

By the way, in Response to the Dell Employee's Solution, I tried checking for an Update though Dell Backup and Recovery as well, and it told me that it was already Up To Date (1.0.0.2), just like Ivory Gate. The only solution that worked for me was my Work Around mentioned in my post by Using Recovery in the Windows 8 Control Panel to create the Recovery Media. If the Dell Employee would like to let us know whether or NOT Backup and Recovery 1.0.0.2 is really the newest thing or if NOT tell us how to get something Newer, because on my Brand New Dell Inspiron 15 3521 System which arrived at my house Yesterday Backup and Recovery still isn't working and the system is also telling me that 1.0.0.2 is the Latest Software Available at the moment! Just FYI.

Hi kev815pan,

I am sorry for the inconvenience caused. I suggest you to run Windows Updates and then try using Dell Backup and Recovery. Please provide the screen shot of any error message that you receive so that we can investigate and provide a resolution.

DELL-Rajath N:

Let's flip that around, can you go into the recovery disk creator and post a screen shot of the Start button actually *not* being greyed out, because I for one won't believe it works for anyone until I see proof.