PIN and Keystrokes

Model of Compaq PC please? How old is it? How is your keyboard connected?
If wireless, consider batteries.
Do you have an alternative keyboard you could try/borrow?
Does your keyboard work on a different PC?

If you boot to BIOS- assuming you can.. does your keyboard then work?

Suggest you create a Win 10 install flash drive on another working PC using the MS media creation tool. Tutorial available.

Then see if you can boot the problem desktop using that.

If that works you could create a live boot disk (these boot into a form of Windows from the external disk with a desktop and start menu as usual, and a range of utility programs for test and diagnosis etc. These are a little more tricky to create on a flash drive. You would then have easier access to your disk using file explorer- assuming your keyboard works with either.

You mention Macrium- can you advise if you also have a recent disk image of at least all partitions comprising the O/S ?

Given you can boot to the login page, do you know your password?

If so (and you should!) try clicking Sign-in Options, and logging in with your password.

Is there any difference?

I would start there, before considering restoring your PC, especially as you've not done it.

I have a Macrium disk image but because I've never had to use it, don't know how to use it.

There are Youtube videos and a help file, assuming you have some way to see those- you mention a backup PC.

Which partitions have you imaged? E.g. a UEFI Windows installation has 4.
However, it hopefully shouldn't matter if you've only imaged C: in this instance, should you choose to restore the image.

Note that restoring a disk image of a partition reverts EVERYTHING to as it was when you created the image- including settings and user data.

I tried to boot from a Win 10 Repair CD but nothing happened.

You will likely need to change boot priority in your BIOS

Booting from a flash drive- you may need to press a particular key as your PC boots to see a special menu.

Tutorial:
Boot from USB Drive on Windows 10 PC

Something I read previously on Ten Forums (Brink) about using a PIN instead of a password:
"One important difference between a password and a Hello PIN is that the PIN is tied to the specific device on which it was set up. That PIN is useless to anyone without that specific hardware. Someone who steals your password can sign in to your account from anywhere, but if they steal your PIN, they'd have to steal your physical device too!"

The computer boots ok to the login screen. Because I use a PIN, and the keystroke isn't recognized, I can't login. If I try to login using a password, the same thing applies. Everything revolves around fixing the keystroke being recognized. I successfully booted the computer with the Win 10 Install Media and had no luck fixing the problem. I couldn't restore to an earlier time. Couldn't uninstall the last Quality or Feature updates. As previously mentioned, using SSD's I had previously cloned didn't help either. One other point if it helps narrow the problem, when using the Install Media, the computer had no problem using the keyboard or cursor.



- - - Updated - - -

I used the mouse...

Try booting to Safe Mode, if you can.. do you see any difference?

e.g. via the Power button, bottom right on login screen, SHIFT + left click restart

Hello Dave,

Have you tried a keyboard that is physically connected to your PC yet?
(Via USB port or PS/2 port would be a good test.)
My concern is that the problem could be the wireless receiver for your Logitech keyboard.

One other point if it helps narrow the problem, when using the Install Media, the computer had no problem using the keyboard or cursor.

- from that, it would seem the hardware is ok, but it's worth a try anyway...I'm guessing somehow the driver isn't being loaded by the installed O/S....

- whether booting normally or in Safe Mode:

I did as you requested - twice. The first time the PC ran a 'DSKCHK' and said it made some changes. Still not recognize keystroke. Ran it again (no DSKCHK) with the same result.

If a directly connected keyboard is recognised, it may be possible to log in and then try to fix the problem.

The computer boots ok to the login screen. Because I use a PIN, and the keystroke isn't recognized, I can't login. If I try to login using a password, the same thing applies. Everything revolves around fixing the keystroke being recognized

at the login screen , bottom right there's a "ease of access" button where you can choose onscreen keyboard.
can you try that so you can log in at least ?