Hi everyone
I've got myself into a right mess.
I have spent several hours unable to get into my new computer.

It insisted I needed to add a PIN to open it
then asked for MS passwords
and now tells me I have tried too many times and won't let me back in.
so frustrating.
It asked me to turn the modem off and try again.

Has anyone encoun tered this and how did you solve it?
thanks in advance.

alinz - 2021-07-04 15:27:00

"It asked me to turn the modem off and try again." ?????
Exact wording of problem and or error messages is critical to getting good advice.

If suggest you get into the advanced startup options and treat the thing back to add it was when you first opened the box.

To do this press the start button. Give it about 8 seconds then press and hold the start button until it shuts off. Do this three times then on the 4th don't shut it off. That should get you into the advanced menu.

Edited by nice_lady at 3:48 pm, Sun 4 Jul

nice_lady - 2021-07-04 15:35:00

You can then reset the machine and start the process again. And you need to look VERY carefully at each and every screen during setup. Also make sure your modern/Router is OFF when you do the set up. You can then set it up without the need for any Microsoft account password.

nice_lady - 2021-07-04 15:37:00

Thanks nice lady - very nice of you
I had already done the reset but now can't get beyond the first page wanting a PIN number

alinz - 2021-07-04 15:45:00

Does it want you too imput a NEW pin or what ?

Edited by nice_lady at 3:50 pm, Sun 4 Jul

nice_lady - 2021-07-04 15:49:00

Described what you're doing and what happens?

Perhaps upload a photo of that screen for us?

nice_lady - 2021-07-04 15:49:00

I am sorry - I have tried but can't get to an advanced screen
Yes, it has asked several times for a new PIN - and then asked me to verify but getting me to do it again - then it doesn't work

then says I've have tried too many times

alinz - 2021-07-04 16:26:00

Did you try that method I suggested to get to the advanced startup screen?

nice_lady - 2021-07-04 16:52:00

I tried but couldn't get any advanced screen

In fact, it wouldn't start up again for awhile

alinz - 2021-07-04 16:59:00

is there an one of those F buttons to get to advance screen?

alinz - 2021-07-04 16:59:00

Did you do as nice_lady said above and restart 3 times by holding the power button down until it turns off each time. this should then open the adanced screen on the 4th startup.

loud_37 - 2021-07-04 17:05:00

loud_37 wrote:

Did you do as nice_lady said above and restart 3 times by holding the power button down until it turns off each time. this should then open the adanced screen on the 4th startup.

Yes it's important to follow that precisely.

nice_lady - 2021-07-04 17:21:00

alinz wrote:

is there an one of those F buttons to get to advance screen?

No

nice_lady - 2021-07-04 17:22:00

Take it back and get an Apple Mac. You will have a lot less problems in future.

tony9 - 2021-07-04 17:34:00

tony9 wrote:

Take it back and get an Apple Mac. You will have a lot less problems in future.

*Fan boy Alert*

nice_lady - 2021-07-04 18:02:00

tony9 wrote:

Take it back and get an Apple Mac. You will have a lot less problems in future.

Worst advice ever

aoc1 - 2021-07-04 18:21:00

it's not a problem with the computer

this is pilot error - I put in the wrong pins and passwords

Yes, I did as Nice lade said;

alinz - 2021-07-04 18:33:00

Well most likely the only way you're going to fix it is to reset the computer. If you can't get to the advanced options to do that then you might want to take a quick trip to the shop you got it from maybe they can manage it, otherwise a quick visit to any tech should sort it in a matter of minutes.

nice_lady - 2021-07-04 18:38:00

aoc1 wrote:

Worst advice ever

Why?

I support a few oldies and youngies. Used to only suggest Windows but a couple of years ago some started using Macs. The Macs just do it, little or no support. The Windows users area constant source of frustration.

And then there is Windows 11 coming which will need new kit....

Edited by tony9 at 6:51 pm, Sun 4 Jul

tony9 - 2021-07-04 18:51:00

tony9 wrote:

Take it back and get an Apple Mac. You will have a lot less problems in future.

lol have you seen how much those are? I'd rather have an easy to fix password issue, than that amount deducted from my bank account thanks.

bitsnpieces2020 - 2021-07-04 19:05:00

is it windows 10 home or pro ?

bitsnpieces2020 - 2021-07-04 19:06:00

bitsnpieces2020 wrote:

lol have you seen how much those are? I'd rather have an easy to fix password issue, than that amount deducted from my bank account thanks.

I don't buy them, although bang for buck the new Macs with the M1 chips leave windows systems for dead.

When someone asks I say do your homework and talk to people with Windows and Apple systems. Most go Apple unless they really want a ChromeBook.

tony9 - 2021-07-04 19:17:00

Windows has the biggest market share for many years. I guess there's a reason.

For most users Window just works also.

nice_lady - 2021-07-04 19:30:00

umm I see quite a few folks who have messed up their apple accounts, forgotten passwords, multiple accounts etc, no different to this scenario...

king1 - 2021-07-04 19:37:00

tony9 wrote:

Most go Apple unless they really want a ChromeBook.

Absolutely no one really wants a Chromebook - now we know you're just regurgitating ignorant fanboy rhetoric

king1 - 2021-07-04 19:40:00

king1 wrote:

umm I see quite a few folks who have messed up their apple accounts, forgotten passwords, multiple accounts etc, no different to this scenario...

And correct me if I'm wrong but I've read of people who had to throw away perfectly good Apple hardware due to some of those issues and Apples famous reluctance to assist

nice_lady - 2021-07-04 19:40:00

nice_lady wrote:

And correct me if I'm wrong but I've read of people who had to throw away perfectly good Apple hardware due to some of those issues and Apples famous reluctance to assist

yep afaik, with ios at least, you can't fully reset/reuse/repurpose a device unless you have access to the original apple account, or it has been removed from the original apple account, and if you can't prove ownership apple won't help...

king1 - 2021-07-04 19:45:00

king1 wrote:

yep afaik, with ios at least, you can't fully reset/reuse/repurpose a device unless you have access to the original apple account, or it has been removed from the original apple account, and if you can't prove ownership apple won't help...

True, which only serves to maintain the value of the devices. look at the selling price of 10 year old iphones etc. on here compared to Android devices.

tony9 - 2021-07-04 19:56:00

king1 wrote:

Absolutely no one really wants a Chromebook - now we know you're just regurgitating ignorant fanboy rhetoric

If no one wants one, why are they selling so well?

tony9 - 2021-07-04 19:57:00

tony9 wrote:

If no one wants one, why are they selling so well?

selling so well is debatable... probably more than macs now, but it's still insignificant to the number of windows machines sold worldwide...

king1 - 2021-07-04 20:06:00

tony9 wrote:

True, which only serves to maintain the value of the devices. look at the selling price of 10 year old iphones etc. on here compared to Android devices.

for someone left with a brick that value is ZERO

king1 - 2021-07-04 20:06:00

nice_lady wrote:

*Fan boy Alert*

Have not seen that expression for decades. Thought those that descended to using it had gown up/matured by now. Now we recognise that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but have no rights to foist it on others.

tony9 - 2021-07-04 20:25:00

Obviously a newbie apple convert. Cognitive dissonance imminent ...

king1 - 2021-07-04 21:32:00

Back to the original issue. Presuming it's a brand-name Laptop, you may need to do what's called a factory restore. This will return the unit back to the exact state when you first turned it on, after getting home from the store. Because you have not yet actually started using it, you won't lose anything.
Each brand is different to do a Factory recovery but if it's an HP for example, it's usually F11. Easiest to hold down the ESC key while you turn it on, and keep holding it until the startup menu appears, then select the Recovery option via the F11 key. Other brands will have their own method but all are a similar process.
But,... it can take a while, and given it's now late Sunday, you might try calling the store where you bought it first thing in the morning and they may be able to help with a Windows Reset, which is quicker than the full recovery.
But sometimes if it's really got in a knot, the factory recovery may be the only option, and they could help you with that also if you are nervous about it.

Edited by cookee_nz at 9:38 pm, Sun 4 Jul

cookee_nz - 2021-07-04 21:35:00

it should be noted also a factory reset will delete any data you have on the machine so use with caution and backup if required.

king1 - 2021-07-04 22:07:00

tony9 wrote:

Have not seen that expression for decades. Thought those that descended to using it had gown up/matured by now. Now we recognise that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but have no rights to foist it on others.

Pot/kettle

nice_lady - 2021-07-05 05:44:00

tony9 wrote:

True, which only serves to maintain the value of the devices. look at the selling price of 10 year old iphones etc. on here compared to Android devices.

Who/why would anyone want a10yr old device.

nice_lady - 2021-07-05 05:46:00

Thanks cookee and everyone.

Still not sorted but will head up to the shop this morning when they open.

AS I can't get passed the first page - the one requiring a PIN - I can't figure how how to do a factory restore.
That's out of my skill-set - so up to the shop.

Thanks for trying with me everyone.

alinz - 2021-07-05 06:06:00

Cool. Do come back and let us know how you get on.

nice_lady - 2021-07-05 06:58:00

nice_lady wrote:

Windows has the biggest market share for many years. I guess there's a reason.
.

Because it's pushed. Notice who has the biggest market share in phones now?
People are scared to change....even experienced ones.

lythande1 - 2021-07-05 08:35:00

Problem solved
MS had just locked me out for trying too many times.

Tried this morning - and it's all systems go.
Thanks again

alinz - 2021-07-05 08:40:00

lythande1 wrote:

Because it's pushed. Notice who has the biggest market share in phones now?
People are scared to change....even experienced ones.

So are you trying to say that Apple PC's were not 'pushed' ?

Apple didn't market well?
Hmmm.....

Most market share of phones sold ? Not Apple.

Edited by nice_lady at 8:42 am, Mon 5 Jul

nice_lady - 2021-07-05 08:41:00

king1 wrote:

umm I see quite a few folks who have messed up their apple accounts, forgotten passwords, multiple accounts etc, no different to this scenario...

Exactly.

bitsnpieces2020 - 2021-07-05 10:22:00

tony9 wrote:

I don't buy them, although bang for buck the new Macs with the M1 chips leave windows systems for dead.

When someone asks I say do your homework and talk to people with Windows and Apple systems. Most go Apple unless they really want a ChromeBook.

you obviously don't know what "bang for bucks" actually means.

Edited by bitsnpieces2020 at 10:26 am, Mon 5 Jul

bitsnpieces2020 - 2021-07-05 10:26:00

nice_lady wrote:

So are you trying to say that Apple PC's were not 'pushed' ?

Apple didn't market well?
Hmmm.....

Most market share of phones sold ? Not Apple.

I distinctly remember seeing the apple logo in many a movie where a laptop was used as a prop. If that ain't pushing apple I don't know what is!

muppet_slayer - 2021-07-05 12:33:00

Yes I noticed that a lot also.

nice_lady - 2021-07-05 13:36:00

tony9 wrote:

True, which only serves to maintain the value of the devices. look at the selling price of 10 year old iphones etc. on here compared to Android devices.

I doubt anyone would buy a 10 year old iPhone anymore, the software updates would probably render it unusable. A 10 year old Nokia however, works just as good now as it did then. People still use those.

tygertung - 2021-07-05 16:16:00