How do I get to safe mode from boot in HP Pavilion 15-Au023cl

My system tried to update on a metered connection. This morning it was on a screensaver and not charged all the way. I unplugged it then plugged it back in and screen was black. It was still running so I shutdown then powered it up. Then it suddenly said working on updates and something about it being at 100%. This lasted 10 minutes so I shut down and tried again. Another ten minutes. I looked up how to go to safe mode. Hp says to press esc key so I did. It doesn’t work. It just went back to the screen. Other sources say to press f8. That doesn’t work and hasn’t worked for a long time. Some say to just use bootable media but articles often say this requires a registration code. I’m wondering if you know if there is another key to get to the recovery menu to get to safe mode and try to do system restore. I don’t want to restore to before I updated bios though, but I will if I need to update bios again. I’m getting tired of automatic updates since they keep messing up my computer. If I didn’t need my software, I would use a third party operating system. Even Apple iOS has problems from my understanding. I see that windows updates can mess up hardware and software. But please let me know if you know about my question.

If you turn off the computer three times in a row, that should get you to the Advanced Startup Option screen where you can get to safe mode.

You can make a Windows install USB using MCT and try the repair option too. No key required https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10

Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10

One time after I started it again, I waited and it went to cleaning. Then the touchpad didn’t work. Something that is strange is that hp keeps saying I need to install the same bios update. Any idea why this may be? I “install” it after a restart then the touchpad works. But hp keeps saying the same update needs installed. The information above may come in handy another time. I’m still debating whether to use the laptop I bought since this stuff keeps happening.

So the BIOS is at version x.y and HP software keeps telling your to install BIOS version x.y and you let it, then it still says you need BIOS version x.y to be installed? If that's the case, I'd suggest contacting HP if the laptop is still under warranty.

If you go to System Information (Win+System information) and check BIOS version, does it match the version number/date you see in BIOS and what HP keeps saying you need to install.

steve108 said:

So the BIOS is at version x.y and HP software keeps telling your to install BIOS version x.y and you let it, then it still says you need BIOS version x.y to be installed? If that's the case, I'd suggest contacting HP if the laptop is still under warranty.

If you go to System Information (Win+System information) and check BIOS version, does it match the version number/date you see in BIOS and what HP keeps saying you need to install.

Do you know how I do that? Do I type: “sys.info” because before I went to device manager but I couldn’t find where yesterday. Also this system is not under warranty and community forums at hp doesn’t have anyone yet that knows. I have asked the hp staff there for information too as they used to answer questions on the board but they won’t say anything. I read an article that might have suggested that an update might not be compatible, but considering that it was there for my system, it should be, but perhaps because of Windows 10 updates, something is preventing an installation, yet the touchpad keeps temporarily fixing. This might indicate it works, but some sort of conflict with the hardware or driver and windows perhaps.

Joshua,
To open system information: See System Information in Windows 10

Something that was odd is that the bios say 12/23/2020 but the update says 12/18/2020. The version in the system info says “insyde” but the download says intel. I don’t know if that means anything, but they both are December 2020.

I bought a newer windows 10 laptop. I’m wondering if I should just try to install everything to the new laptop. Every time windows 10 updates, this bios update must be reinstalled. Also, it is difficult to determine if I’m being hacked on the current laptop or there is a hidden Trojan. But I am weary about trying to move everything as I wonder if all software will be compatible. On the current laptop, I’ve seen windows updates hide software and make software stop working. I found a way to stop updating windows by stopping a service, but this seems like I’m taking chances either way. I will likely have to update windows on the new laptop or will immediately disable them. I’ve posted on another thread for advice about the virus and am waiting on avast about it too. The bios issue is really weird since it shows it is installed but HP still tells me it needs updated. I’m not an expert about transferring data. I just know about backing up and installation. When it comes to incompatibility issues with hardware and software due to windows updates I am at a loss. These machines are supposed to be compatible with Windows 10, but then they keep having issues. I’m told by someone who worked for intel and heard in other places that they are made to last a certain amount of time. It seems odd to me. The systems work and the software works, but updates make things need fixed or if you don’t know what to do, you must buy a new system. In the past, I just saw hard drives basically burn out. It has nothing to do with updates.