I have an HP 19 (at least that’s what it says on the front). It’s a few years old and I can’t get in

[SwayzeArt]

I have an HP19 stand alone screen/computer in one and I can’t get in. When I start it  The date and time comes up and when I click on the screen my name and my Microsoft picture ID comes up and it says to put in the password. So I put in the password and click it and it tells me it’s the wrong password. Then I click forgot my password and try to change it and that doesn’t work either. I can’t get in this computer at all. HELP

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi
First:- Turn off the computer, press and hold the PWR button for 4 seconds.

Then - Leave only keyboard and mouse connected, disconnect all externally connected
devices such as Docking Station, USB storage devices, displays, and printers.
Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.

Next - Press and Hold the Power button for 15 seconds to Hard Reset.
Rinse and Repeat
Power on your PC, press Esc (repeatedly), then F2 at the prompt.
Choose System Tests (Fast Test does a 4 minute hardware check).

Date and Time could be a flat CMOS/RTC battery.

[SwayzeArt]

OK, so I did all that  and then the screen came up again with the picture and the time and the date so I clicked and then my name came up with my picture for the password. I put in the password and it did exactly the same thing :

 It says that password is incorrect. Make sure you’re using the password for your Microsoft account. You can always reset it at account live.com/password/reset so I click OK 

 That’s exactly the problem I’ve been having so again I can’t get into this computer at all. Should I have done something different when I got to the end of your test thing ?

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi

So it passed all the Hardware Diagnostics then?  EG:-

So try using whatever it is that you are posting with,  go to ...

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4026971/microsoft-account-how-to-reset-your-password

Recover your account        https://account.live.com/password/reset

[SwayzeArt]

I did all that. It still won’t accept my password and still won’t open. Should I throw the computer in the ocean?  It’s useless if it won’t let me in. 

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Two things, marine pollution and F11 should do a factory fresh re-install that let's you begin again.

[SwayzeArt]

Ok. You’re right about that. I’m an environmentalist and would never throw anything in the ocean of course. I’m frustrated. 

I tried the reset (both leaving my files and deleting my files)and both times got the message:  something went wrong and the reset did not happen. Nothing was changed in your computer. Now what?

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi
This First part only works when a valid Recovery Partition is enabled.

If it displays an error message then move onto the Second part,
OR if you have data you wish to try and save using the XCOPY command.
Then create your own Repair/Recovery/Rebuild/Re-install media or buy a set from HP.

Turn off the computer.

Disconnect all connected devices and cables, Media Drives, USB drives, printers, & faxes.
Remove media from internal drives, and remove any recently added internal hardware.
Do not disconnect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or power cord.

Turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key, about once every second,
until the Choose an option screen is displayed, and then continue.

On the Choose an Option screen, click Troubleshoot, and work your way through the screens.

Second Part:-
This may require another PC. Find and Download your .iso from…
(You will need a NON_OEM key for W7;
W8.x and W10 should activate automagically from their embedded licence key.)

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows7
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

For when it’s a NON MS OS ( iOS / Linux ) creating the install media.
www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

A 3rd party site like…
https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

Expand/Extract/Burn the iso Image onto a DVD/USB as needed.
Microsoft’s Creator Tool will make the required DVD or USB.

Even though it has NO actual HP software/drivers included, you may be able to
XCOPY the C:\Users\* area onto a ‘large’ USB stick, via the Command Prompt.

You’ll need to try various drive letters; D:..-..Z: until it’s matched - could be G; mine’s S:

C:\>XCOPY C:\Users\* S:\ /e /i /h (then files like those 3 listed below get copied over)

C:\Users\desktop.ini
C:\Users\All Users\agent.1509128044.bdinstall.bin
C:\Users\All Users\HP Deskjet 2540 series\Help\flash\zoom.swf

Then you can try System Recovery Options / Advanced Options shown in the screenshots.

NB:- W7 Try running a Startup Repair more than once for a full fix.
NB: - W10 Begin with the Automatic Repair, then Startup Settings etc.

From either the C:\ or the X:\ prompt try the following

cd boot
bootrec /FixMBR
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /RebuildBCD

If the above FAILS then please try:-
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/repair-master-boot-record-mbr-windows
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-7-from-usb
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-10-from-usb