BRAND New Inspiron 17R and can't get past second disc in creating Restore Discs. What an incredible disappointment.

Hi redlosen,

I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

Are you using Dell Backup and Recovery Manager to create recovery discs?

Do you get any error message?

Dell Backup and Recovery Application will replace DataSafe Local 2.x on consumer and vostro platforms and Dell Backup and Recovery Manager (DBRM) on commercial platforms.

The Dell Backup and Recovery Application allow us to create a copy of the factory image which allows the user to restore the system to factory settings in case of an OS crash. The factory image would contain all the Applications and Drivers that was installed on the computer when it shipped out of the factory. To create a copy of the factory image, follow these steps:

-- Click the Recovery Media tile.

-- Click Factory Backup.

-- Select either USB Flash Drive or Discs as per your requirement. Ensure to connect the USB Flash Drive or put blank media into the optical drive when prompted.

-- Click Continue.

-- Click Start, at this point when you are prompted saying that the data would be lost, click Yes.

-- The factory image gets created on the USB flash drive or disc, click OK once done.

To create the Recovery CDs, you would require 2 to 3 DVDs. Once the 1st disk is completed it would prompt you to insert the second disk.

**Note: Use Branded +R DVDs. Memorex DVDs are not supported by Dell PCs.

In case you are trying to back up on a flash drive; you would require a flash drive with 16GB of free space. The Recovery Partition is of 8GB.

Refer the following link which has steps to create recovery disks:

http://dell.to/16wgIvZ

Awaiting your response!

So what Brand do you recommend? What USB Key brand do you recommend? Am I going to run into problems with an ADATA USB Key?

I am using the Memorex brand. All the steps you listed are what I did.

So why doesn't Memorex work? Why is there not some big fat banner on the Backup and Recovery application that says "HEY, DONT BOTHER IF YOU USE MEMOREX"?

I'll have to find some other brand and try again. I don't live somewhere that DVDs are easily purchasable so it will be quite some time before I can run the process. Would have been real nice to know a brand wasn't supported...

Hi redlosen,

Well, in the past few compatibility issues were reported with Memorex discs when used on Dell systems. It would be good if you're able to try other brand discs or USB drive.

Awaiting your response!

Dell-Rajesh R,

OK. Will you tell me a Brand of DVD Media that you can endorse? A brand of USB Drive that you will endorse?

I need to know exactly what to buy so I don't waste my time buying some other brand that I find out after the fact that Dell doesn't work with.

Hi redlosen,

You can buy any brand DVD’s and USB drivce other than Memorex. Let me know the status.

Awaiting your response!

Hello everyone,

I have the same problem with Dell Backup and Recovery software on brand new Dell Inspiron 17R. I made an update to Windows 8.1, then Dell Backup and Recovery told me that it has to be updated to the new version, I updated it. I tried first to create a Factory Backup on 32GB USB flash drive SanDisk Cruzer but in very beginning I have a blue screen of death with the info "BAD_POOL_HEADER" and then the machine restart itself.I tried this several times. Then I switched to Mushkin 32GB USB but without success - again "BAD_POOL_HEADER". Then I decided to use HP brand DVD-R disks 16x 4.7GB. The Dell Backup and Recovery created the first one disk and crash on the second disk. I started again from the 1st disk but this time Dell Backup and Recovery crash on the 1st disk. 

The result is I'm very disappointed from Dell and their recovery software. A month before Dell laptop I got another 15" from Gateway on half price that Dell. I made Gateway recovery disks ( both USB and DVD ) for less that an hour on Windows 8.1

Dear Dell, could you tell me please which third party software to use because it seems that your Backup and Recovery software does not cost even a cent ? Or do you offer recovery DVD on acceptable extra price because you sold me Inspiron 17R with Windows 8 OS on it which cost an extra money and I don't wish one day to lost the OS....

Happy New Year :-(

Hello again,

for those of you who have troubles with Dell Backup and Recovery there is a Microsoft tool Recovery drive in Windows 7/8. 

With Recovery Drive I made a recovery USB stick and set of three DVDs for about an hour. Microsoft Recovery Drive also

has an option to include a copy of OEM recovery partition.

After that I is better to delete permanently Dell Backup and Recovery software.