Blinks 3 slow/2 fast = 1 bad 2x8 RAM, replace Now No PIN function& Password is not recogn

[Sharter]

Ok, after 3 days of investigation and testing, CAPS LOCK 3 by 2 solved.  1 bad RAM 2x8GB, received replacement and we are live but cannot log in.  PIN is forgotten by computer and Password is not working either.  I have WiFi connected, Password asking for USB instead.  I don't have USB with back-up info, cannot request 'forgot my PIN' the words are dim and does not respond to selection.  I've cut power and removed battery to attempt reset.  Can I pull the hard drive and communicate through USB to access the password?  Or lost in the bad RAM?  I'm stuck and need some advice PLEASE

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Sharter

Thank you for posting on HP Forums, 

Riddle_Decipher is at your service (Like a Genie, however, without magic powers) 😉 

I'm glad you've identified the ram failure, replaced it and the device is booting up now, let's work on getting it to the desktop, speaking of which, are you using a local account or is that a Microsoft account? while you respond to that, use the below steps:

Step 1: Use the HP Guided Solution

 Let us guide you through the solution.

FOR DETAILS & FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS, USE THIS LINK: CLICK HERE & SKIP TO STEP 2 ONWARD

(By the end of this article all the issues should be resolved)

Also, to answer your questions, the device cannot work without the hard drive, let's leave that in,

And the fact that the windows don't boot due to the password failure has nothing to do with the RAM, just stay with me and we'll get through this, together.

If you feel I was helpful, simply click on Accept as Solution to help the community grow,

That said, I will have someone follow-up on this to ensure you've been helped,

Just in case you don't get back to us within 24 - 48 hrs, and have a good day, ahead.

[Sharter]

Alright, we didn't exactly solve the problem with your procedure we did however recall our four digit PIN. Now I've got the PIN and searching for a way to reset local password, so I can move on to a Microsoft password only.

it appears that I definitely had back myself into a corner by only having the local password and not recalling what it was and drawing a blank on the PIN for so many days. I did think it was the ram so I do appreciate you clearing that up I did take the hard drive out and try to access it through another laptop
. Genie I thank you for stirring my memory, now I'll rub your lamp just one more time to help me solve this next mystery, removing the local password in lieu of MSA access!

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Sharter

Poof!! your wish is my command! 😉

This is the Riddle_Decipher, again!

I recommend you reset your local user account password using security questions (if you've set any during the initial setup)

You can reset your forgotten password by answering the security questions you set up when you created your local account.

1. Turn on the computer and attempt to enter the sign-in password at the Windows sign-in screen.

2. If the password was entered incorrectly, a message displays stating the username or password is incorrect. Click OK.

   

3. Click Reset password.

4. Your three security questions display. Enter your secret answers to each question. After the last question press Enter.

   

5. In the spaces provided, type a new password, then type it again to confirm. When done, press Enter.

   You are now logged in and your local password is reset.

   

  note:

If you continue to use a local account, you might not be able to reset your password if it is lost or forgotten. HP recommends using a Microsoft account to sign in to Windows. With a Microsoft account, your password can be reset using any Internet-connected device at any time.

For steps to create a Microsoft connected account in Windows 10, see Managing User Accounts and Logins (Windows 10).

If the above doesn't work you may try to change the local user account password from another user account: Click here to view a youtube video with instructions.

If none of the above works, the last resort would be to perform a push button reset: Click here for steps - Select the 2nd option to reset through windows recovery environment. 

(Note: you will lose all data stored on your device if you wish to perform a data backup, contact a local tech)

Keep us posted, 

(We shall troubleshoot as a team, fight till the end and emerge - "victorious")

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, 

 feel free to give us a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, 

Followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" button.

Have a great day!

[Sharter]

Riddler Genie you've already earned a thumbs up, but I ain't going away yet. Riddle me this? Of course I knew about this list of options you last suggested, I did research and figure out one of the 2 RAM modules were bad... Along the way, I saw many options to burn it clean. I can of course yank the drive and copy it, but always something is lost or garbled within the transfer..
So I attempted the admin from another access, but maybe didn't execute correctly, my user is the only admin on this unit, can I do something more to make that work for a reset? Or..... My password only comes with hint, not 3 mini quizzes... My hint it's, 'same as the other one'. You are the riddle_decipher'r see what you got for that....

Jokes/riddles aside, it asks for my disk or USB be used, I never made this, don't recall this coming up when I initiated start up, thoughts? Can this be duplicated elsewhere, or likely unit specific? Hopefully you got something up your sleeve?

[Riddle_Decipher · Accepted solution]

@Sharter

Thank you for the update,

I'm sensing the data isn't the priority, if my sixth sense is right, perhaps you may want to cut to the chase and perform a full system recovery to get back into your computer, as that seems to be the best & only other way to get through this and free the genie at the same time (not that I don't like being a genie, never really understood why the genie wants to be free, while he's got all the powers either way)...anyway, back to the topic: Click here for steps

If the data within your device is important, you can try this: (as the last resort)

Before you start the system recovery, review the following list:

• Back up all personal files using this drive with another computer as an external drive (slave) using a SATA to USB converter,

• The complete recovery process can take 4 to 6 hours or more to complete. For best results, the computer should not be connected to the Internet. The computer restarts several times during the process. Do not turn off the power or interrupt the recovery process until the prompt to log in to Windows displays.

If the internal partition doesn't work, order a recovery media using this link: Click here

Let me know if that helps,

Keep me posted.

[Sharter]

I was trying to circumvent that exact task.... Because inevitably, something always gone.

But you did answer, no other way, remember it or change nothing within... At the very least, I've got the PIN and I will take fault for improper set up, counting on one's memory. Kudos x 10 Decipher'r.

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Sharter

Thanks again for responding,

Its human to err, don't worry about it.

Been there done that, before I transformed into a genie! 😛

That said, it was nice working with you, have a good day ahead.

And feel free to write back to us for any other query or concern too.

Poof...