Dead PC

[KenS101]

I have had many problems with this machine. I eventually performed a Microsoft  reset keeping my data. It seemed to work well for two days and I began reinstalling the software. However when I turned on the machine this morning the screen was filled with a strange white picture with a  large white tick on a blue shield and three green circles - a white locator symbol (as used on google mats to identify a place) , a finger print and an open padlock. it is not possible to do anything else. 

I did a Ctrl-alt-del but the only options were:  Lock, Switch user, Sign out, Task manager and cancel.  Clicking on Task manager just brings the picture I mentioned above back.

At the bottom of the screen the only icons are ENG,  access to the internet (but no way to use it) Accessibility icon and power - offering sleep, shutdown and restart.

Is there any way I can bring this machine back to life ?

[Bill_To]

Hi @KenS101 

I have never seen the image you see when starting Windows. Have been using Windows since 1990.

I might have run Windows clean for a week or so after doing a reset to see how things go.

Could be a program you installed after doing the reset??

It almost looks like some type of malware infection. Could be some type of low level BIOS infection. It is pretty tough to remove this type of infection. Bad actors get into the MB firmware.

Not saying this (low level firmware infection) is the problem but you are seeing a very strange symptom.

Do a reset again, if possible. Wait longer before installing software. See what happens.

Regards

[KenS101]

Thanks for the reply. I would be very happy to do another restore but I have can find no way to access the machine to start the procedure.

[KenS101]

I meant reset of course!

[Bill_To]

Hi @KenS101 

Can you get to the HP UEFI Startup Menu by tapping "ESC" when you cold start the PC?

Let me know if you can do this.

Your PC does not seem to support a HP Cloud Recovery option. But you might be able to install Windows 11 clean using W11 installation media available at this Site. 

You could create bootable W11 USB installation media on a different PC. Boot to this media on your PC.

Follow prompts to install W11 on the smaller 128 GB SSD. Select I don't have a product key.

You may see the same problem again if you have malware floating around on the second 2 TB HDD or in the MB firmware.

You might want to have a local PC Tech take a look if your 2018 PC is out of warranty.

The Tech could check the PC for malware.

Regards

[KenS101]

When I tap ESC I get the startup menu

DoI hit F11?

[KenS101]

I tried the F11 system Recovery and after telling the machine I was in the UK it just brought back the original strange screen.

[KenS101]

While I had time I ran a System Extenive Test. It passed each of the 10 tests. I hope this is good news?

It passed the Wired network chec as well.

[KenS101 · Accepted solution]

I must report that the machine allowed me to reset my machine as it did last time. Currently it is working so thank you for youre help.

[Bill_To]

Hi @KenS101 

My pleasure.

Good to see the PC is working.

Regards