Try updating your Dell Backup and Recovery software.  With the update it now seems to work with all USB flash drives I throw at it.

This is what appears when I use Dell Backup and Recovery version 1.6.2.4 with a PNY 128 GB USB flash drive with it's driver installed

What happens when you click 'Change Drive"?  Can you select the USB drive there?  We have tested this many times.  Some USB drive enumerate differently than others.  Does the USB drive show up in Windows as an external device or internal drive?

Thanks,

David

Thanks.  I'm going to review with the develpment team and see what I can find out for you.  Does this happen with all USB ports on the system?  I assume you can access this flash drive from within Windows?  May I ask what system model you have?

This is what happens when I select Change Drive

HAWKX1,

It appears that you have uncovered a legitimate issue, we have validated this behavior in our lab and are in process of debugging for root cause.  We certainly appreciate your feedback.  I will open a formal issue with our dev team and will track same to completion.  If you like, I will update you as to resolution when available.  I am the Lead Quality Engineer on the development team (not a forum moderator) and will personally ensure that this issue is addressed in a future update.

We have identified the issue as being tied to the way Windows detects and mounts the USB Key.  If you look at the properties, you will see that these keys are detected as 'removeable' storage.  MS does not allow partitioning of these types of devices, which is required to create the bootable backup. While just about any USB key will work for creating "recovery media", only USB keys designated as "Window 8 Certified" (usually on the package labeling) will work for the 'bootable backup' (recovery disk) function as these devices are mounted as 'fixed storage'.

At the moment, we do not have a way to architect a solution for this and will be changing the messaging in the application to address.

So there is no way around the issue and try and find a Windows 8 certified flash drive or external HDD?

We have identified the issue as being tied to the way Windows detects and mounts the USB Key.  If you look at the properties, you will see that these keys are detected as 'removeable' storage.  MS does not allow partitioning of these types of devices, which is required to create the bootable backup. While just about any USB key will work for creating "recovery media", only USB keys designated as "Window 8 Certified" (usually on the package labeling) will work for the 'bootable backup' (recovery disk) function as these devices are mounted as 'fixed storage'. At the moment, we do not have a way to architect a solution for this and will be changing the messaging in the application to address.

Thanks for the feedback.  At this point we are evaluating solutions for this issue.  For Rescue Disk (Bootable Backup) funtions, we recommend using (any) external USB HDD.  USB keys can be used for Recovery Media (Factory Image).