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    XPS 15 - cannot create recovery disks

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by zackor, Aug 31, 2011.

  1. zackor

    zackor Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry if this question has been asked but I tried to search for the newest method and all I could find is old posts..

    I am trying to create a recovery disk for my xps 15, I want to do a fresh install from an OEM WIN7 PRO , Dell Datasafe localbackup keeps failing and I already wasted 3 DL DVDS... any suggestion on how to make recovery disks...just in case the other installation goes wrong? also does the recovery disk has all the softwares that come with the laptop?
     
    zackor, Aug 31, 2011
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  2. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    You have the OEM Windows disc from Dell? Then just back your data up to an external drive, boot from the DVD and erase away. Typically the Windows disc comes with a second disc with the drivers, otherwise, download them off of Dell downloads before you wipe (otherwise you'll need a second computer to get your LAN/wireless drivers so you can get to the rest...).

    Dell datasafe is a piece of crap, sorry to say. But you seem to have found that out.
     
    madmattd, Aug 31, 2011
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  3. zackor

    zackor Notebook Consultant

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    Not really.. I downloaded an PEM online and I want to use my product key..so now I don't know how to create a recovery disk " just in case the OEM virsion doesn't work" I don't want to stay without an OS lol
     
    zackor, Aug 31, 2011
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  4. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Did you try with non dual layer discs? I've had issues with DataSafe and DL discs (low quality discs).

    The Dell disc with Windows 7 on it does not have all the original content and will NOT recreate the recovery partition. Also will you not be able to reinstall DataSafe Local Backup without an intact recovery partition. Perhaps reimage your machine from the partition and try to make the discs again.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Aug 31, 2011
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  5. zackor

    zackor Notebook Consultant

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    lol I am so lost now.. so which tools do you guys use to create recovery disks? or an image..if I install an OEM it will remove the recovery partition I think.. maybe I am wrong..
     
    zackor, Aug 31, 2011
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  6. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    If you use the OEm you will only lose the recovery partition if you delete it during setup of Windows. However, no telling if it will work even if you install the Dell datasafe program back on, I just don't know how that thing restores. I always do fresh formats...sorry.
     
    madmattd, Aug 31, 2011
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  7. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Recovery discs can ONLY be done through Dell DataSafe Local Backup. In case of drive failure, that will reinstall the recovery partition AND reimage the laptop to day 1 settings.

    Cloning the drive is something else, you can use Acronis or Ghost for that, but that would only do it each time you clone (assuming the drive is in healthy, working condition).

    Personally I don't like doing clean installs unless it is absolutely necessary. Factory reimage is ALOT quicker and honestly for me, I prefer the stock image and modifying it.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Aug 31, 2011
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  8. zackor

    zackor Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks alot! btw if I create a system image using the windows backup tool and I decide that I want to rollback from the OEM to the previous image, you think the system would bring everything back?
     
    zackor, Aug 31, 2011
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  9. somato

    somato Notebook Enthusiast

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    I had trouble with DataSafe too, apparently it's a common issue on the Dell forums. Never got it to work DVDs, I had to use a USB flash drive instead to get successfully through the backup process.
     
    somato, Aug 31, 2011
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  10. zackor

    zackor Notebook Consultant

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    it worked after few restarts.. but I wasted 5 hours trying to fix and download stuff without any luck.. the OEM isnt working lol
     
    zackor, Sep 1, 2011
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  11. Risco

    Risco Notebook Deity

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    If you have a USB stick with at least 16gb free, you can backup to that. Have you tried?
     
    Risco, Sep 1, 2011
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