Yet another "safe mode won't accept password" problem

I have a month-old HP Spectre x360 laptop. It had some odd display behavior, and someone recommended uninstalling the graphics drivers. To be safe, I wanted to do this in safe mode. I tried to get into the system Startup Settings page, but it just displays a black screen instead of showing the start options. No keys work at this point.

Since I couldn't use the startup screen to get into safe mode, I went into msinfo32 and set it there. Minimal mode, no networking.

Then I booted into safe mode and try to login... But it wouldn't accept my password. (Local password, not online MS passwd.) I verified it was the correct password with the little eye icon. I tried to use the on-screen keyboard, but it doesn't seem to enter any keys at all.

I'm 100% certain I'm using the same password I used to login this morning. I'm honestly not sure if I'm using an actual password or a PIN, but as far as I remember this is the only password I set on the computer when I got it a month ago. I don't think I set a separate PIN, I just set up the fingerprint reader. But that doesn't work in safe mode either.

So my laptop is stuck booting into safe mode, and I can't log in while it's in safe mode. Since I can't log in, I can't turn off safe mode in msinfo32. Tricks like getting into the command prompt don't work, because you need your password for that too.

I may have to find another Windows 10 computer and create a boot flash drive, but I would like to avoid that if I could. This system is Windows 10 Pro, and I don't have access to any other Pro systems. Would a boot drive from a non Pro system work?

Help!! My brand new laptop is a paperweight until I get this fixed. I really need to get some work done.

HP Spectre X360 15t-ch000
Win10 Pro

Should be okay booting from a non pro boot media, then shift +f10 to get to command prompt.

Please check out Macrium Reflect, free reliable and a quick way to restore.

Hi Ken,

I was just in Mississauga last week. I woulda waved if I'd realized I was next door.

OK, I didn't realize command prompt from another boot media would work. I tried to get into the command prompt through WinRE, but it still wanted (and wouldn't accept) my password. So I made a Win10 install image, booted into that, got into cmd (no password required), and removed the safeboot value with bcdedit. Shazam! Back in business, **whew**.

After a bit of reading, it sounds like what Windows calls your "password" (as in "Enter your password" at the login page) is actually a PIN, which has certain security benefits &etc. And apparently a PIN is not accepted to log into Safe Mode in Win10. Even though it works on my old Win10 laptop!?? Go figger. It sounds like a normal Admin-class login actually can't log into Safe Mode, and you need to set up the default Administrator login in order to get in. (Unless someone has a better idea?)

I still need to figure out why the Startup Screen won't display.

Backup: I've been using Acronis for image backups for years, but I never liked it. I've just started looking into alternatives for this new laptop -- I'll check out Macrium. Looks like I would have to buy it, since the Free edition doesn't support incremental backups, bummer.

Thanks!
Gary

There is a sale on Macrium, at least on the four pack, if it is not on sale message them and they will likely discount.

Macrium is a very nice product.

The Image Guard protects against tampering, as in Ransomware. Bought version also allow folders and file backups. They have a four pact and posted sale code on Twitter.

How much do you trust Macrium Reflect?

Actually 20% off single and four pack.

Yes, same password (PIN) that didn't work in Safe Mode. Works fine in normal mode.

Startup screen: I mean the screen you get by going into WinRE and selecting Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. It should reboot to a screen with choices that let you get into Safe Mode, etc. Mine just went black. No reboot splash screen, no nothin'. The laptop was still powered on but it wasn't doing anything. That's why I had to enable Safe Mode in msinfo32, which is why I was hosed when I couldn't log in and turn it off.

Thanks for the Macrium tip, Ken!