I was only able to complete the backup process by using an external panasonic writer. This suggests there's nothing wrong with the software and may be a hardware issue. 
I tried to create the recovery discs in the Backup and Recovery Manager.  The software would only make the first disc then hang up.  All other empty discs inserted are shown as full. I am trying to burn to DVD+R discs.  The Backup app had updated itself to the latest version. Contacted Dell support.  At first the representative did not know what Backup and Recovery Manager is or does until I showed it to him on a remote connection.  He claimed it is a Microsoft problem even though this is Dell software.  Representative said that since Microsoft does not include disc burning software in Windows 8, the Recovery Manager will not properly burn discs. (I could make the backup to a USB drive.) Contacted Microsoft; they laughed because this is Dell software, but helped me look at this anyway.  After 2 hours of watching the software fail to work, the representative told me to call Dell again.  He said I need to download and reinstall the software. Evidently, the software does not properly release the drive after the first disc is burned and then shows any subsequent discs as being full.  When the second disk is inserted, it is read as not having any space and then is ejected.
Backup and Recovery Manager in Windows 8