Dell Direct USB Key - FAQs

Table of Contents:

1. Video on Dell Direct USB Key
2. What is a Dell Direct USB Key?
3. What will the Dell Direct USB Key install?
4. How to use the Dell Direct USB Key?
5. Additional Information

Back to top

What is a Dell Direct USB Key?

The Dell Direct USB Key is designed to provide a quick resolution in case of an operating system issue, without the loss of data.

• Fast, easy and user-friendly efficient solution to fix your OS issues
• Help diagnose the issue and find the best solution (even if your computer is not able to load OS)
• Assist you in automatic back up and restoration of your personal data and settings
• Automated Re-installation of Operating System
• Customizable data backup
• Optical drive free or Disk free operations
• Exclusive product from Dell

Back to top

Cause information is not available.

What will the Dell Direct USB Key install?

The key will install the following:

1. Operating System - Windows 7 or Windows 8 (based on the version originally shipped with the PC).
2. Basic device drivers (additional device drivers may be required. Refer to Dell knowledge-base article Drivers and downloads FAQs.
3. Applications
   1. Windows 7
      • Dell Data Safe Local (DSL)
      • Dell Digital Delivery (DDD)
      • My Dell
      • Link to Microsoft Office Trial
   2. Microsoft Windows 8.1, Windows 8 or Windows 10
      • Dell Backup and Recovery (DBAR)
      • Dell Digital Delivery
      • My Dell
      • Link to Microsoft Office Trial

Back to top

How to use the Dell Direct USB Key?

1. Power off the PC.
2. Disconnect all external devices except the keyboard and mouse (and monitor in case of a desktop PC). For laptop PCs, ensure the power adapter is connected.
3. Connect the Dell Direct USB Key to one of the USB ports.
4. Power on the PC and tap F12 key on the keyboard.
5. Highlight the following (based on the operating system) and press Enter.
   • Windows 7:
     USB Storage Device
     Toshiba Device
   • Windows 8.1, Windows 8 or Windows 10:
     EFI USB path 1
     Toshiba MSFT NORB PMAP (if you have multiple choices, select the first one)
     USB Storage Device
6. Select the language.
   Note: This is the display language of the Dell Direct USB Key process, and may be the same for the operating system, select accordingly.
7. In the End User License Agreement, scroll to the bottom, check "I Accept" and click Continue.
8. The next screen will provide the "Process Overview", click Continue.
9. Once the process is completed, it will provide an analysis of the test performed.
10. Click Continue or Exit based on the analysis provided.
    Note: If the issue is fixed, clicking on Exit will restart the system back to the desktop.
11. Click Continue. Connect an external storage device for data backup when prompted.
12. Click Select More to browse and add additional files to be backed up.
13. Click Continue once you have selected all the required files for backup.
    Note: If the external storage device is not detected it will prompt to connect the external storage device.
14. Once the data backup is complete, click Continue.
15. Click Continue to start the operating system restoration (do not disconnect the external storage device until prompted).
16. Once the process is complete, click Restart.
    Note: The Restart button will be greyed out. Unplug the Dell Direct USB Key and any external storage device and then click Restart.
17. The PC will restart a few times and will prompt to connect the external storage device.

After all the restarts, the PC will boot into the operating system. Confirm that all the data has been restored. At this point, if all the data is restore, the entire process is complete. You may now proceed to setup personal settings, application installation, etc,.

Follow the instructions below only if the backed up data could not be restored.

1. Restore backup your data.
2. Create a new folder on the desktop and name it "Migration Utility"
3. Unzip the file in the folder created
4. Ensure that the following files are in the folder:
   MigRestore.exe
   SDSImageTools.dll
   SDSMigrationTools.dll
   SKIP
5. Connect the external storage device with the backed up data
6. Double Click on MigRestore.exe (For any pop-up confirmation, click ‘Yes’ to run MigRestore.exe)
7. Click on Browse and select the external storage device
8. Click on Restore to begin data restore process

Once the process is complete, the backed up data will be restored

Back to top

Additional Information