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Bitlocker can't start recovery mode due to missing intel RST driver

Anonymous
2024-03-14T20:50:47+00:00

Hi,

We have a situation in which the user entered the wrong PIN code too many times.

Therefor, bitlocker logged "device lock recovery event initiated for volume C:".

Then the user rebooted the laptop and it showed a Dell logo with "Preparing bitlocker recovery...".

I expected that the user just needed to enter the recovery key, which I had.

However, the system went from "preparing for bitlocker recovery" to the startup repair.

The startup repair was unable to fix the issue, and diskpart could not even see any disk at all.

This looked exactly the same as this issue: Windows 10 - Preparing BitLocker recovery in black screen, how to use - Microsoft Community

So my idea was that the recovery partition could not see the disk because it had missing the intel rapid storage technology drivers.

I have no idea why the bitlocker recovery menu to insert the bitlocker key did not appear.

So what I did was:

  • Boot from USB Windows 10 Media
  • Select to Install Windows
  • Select to install the intel rapid storage technology drivers from the USB when looking for disks
  • After that, the disk was found. Then press Shift - F12
  • Then use manage-bde -unlock with the recovery key to unlock bitlocker on C drive
  • Then use manage-bde -off to have the bitlocker set to off and start decrypting
  • Reboot
  • Issue was fixed, no data loss

So I cannot do all these steps and drive around the country every time a user enters 5x the wrong pincode.

What is going on here, do I need to somehow install intal RST drivers in the recovery partition perhaps?

Or is this something going wrong in very early UEFI stages?

Coincidently, this user also had a Dell Dock install the day before.

But I dont expect that was the issue.

***moved from Windows / Windows 10 / Windows update, recovery, and backup***

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | Devices and deployment | Recovery key

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-03-18T09:44:03+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

    Based on the description, it is possible that the missing Intel RST driver caused the issue with BitLocker recovery.

    To prevent this from happening again, you can try adding the Intel RST driver to the recovery partition. You can also check if the driver is already included in the recovery partition by accessing it through the command prompt and running the command

    dism /Get-Drivers /Mount-Wim /WimFile:X:\sources\recovery\winre.wim /index:1

    Note:Replace "X" with the drive letter of the recovery partition.

    If the driver is not included, you can add it using the command

    dism /Add-Driver /Mount-Wim /WimFile:X:\sources\recovery\winre.wim /Driver:C:\IntelRST.inf /Recurse

    Note:Replace "C:\IntelRST.inf" with the path to the Intel RST driver on your computer.

    This should ensure that the recovery partition has the necessary drivers to access the disk and unlock BitLocker in case of a recovery event.

    Have a nice day. 

    Best Regards,

    Moll

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-03-18T06:40:29+00:00

    I understand the urgency of the situation, and I appreciate your thorough troubleshooting steps. It seems like the missing Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) drivers were indeed causing the issue with BitLocker recovery. Let’s delve into this further and explore potential solutions:

    1. BitLocker Recovery Process:
      • When a user enters the wrong PIN code too many times, BitLocker initiates a device lock recovery event. In such cases, the system should prompt for the recovery key during the next boot.
      • However, if the recovery key prompt doesn’t appear, it could be due to various factors, including missing drivers or other system issues.
    2. Intel RST Drivers and BitLocker:
      • BitLocker relies on the system’s storage drivers to access the encrypted drive during recovery.
      • If the Intel RST drivers are missing or incompatible, BitLocker may not function correctly during recovery.
      • Installing the Intel RST drivers from the USB during the Windows installation process allowed you to unlock BitLocker and resolve the issue.
    3. Possible Causes:
      • The missing Intel RST drivers might have prevented the recovery partition from accessing the encrypted drive.
      • It’s also possible that the UEFI/BIOS settings were not correctly configured to recognize the drive during recovery.
    4. Preventive Measures:
      • To avoid repeating these steps for every user, consider the following preventive measures:
        • Driver Integration: Create a custom Windows installation image (using tools like DISM) that includes the necessary Intel RST drivers. This way, when you install Windows, the drivers are already integrated.
        • UEFI/BIOS Settings: Ensure that the UEFI/BIOS settings are correctly configured to recognize the drive during recovery. Check settings related to AHCI/RAID mode and secure boot.
    5. Dell Dock Consideration:
      • While it’s unlikely that the Dell Dock installation caused this specific issue, it’s essential to keep an eye on any recent software changes or updates.
      • If you encounter similar issues on other Dell systems, consider testing without the Dell Dock to rule out any potential conflicts.
    6. BitLocker Recovery Menu Missing:
      • The absence of the BitLocker recovery menu during boot could be due to various factors, including BIOS/UEFI settings, hardware issues, or corrupted boot files.
      • If this issue persists, consider checking the boot order, ensuring that the recovery partition is accessible, and verifying the integrity of boot files.

    Remember that each system configuration can be unique, and troubleshooting BitLocker issues requires a combination of hardware knowledge, driver compatibility, and system settings. If you encounter this problem frequently, consider creating a standardized recovery process that includes the necessary drivers and settings.

    If you encounter similar issues in the future, you might want to explore Intel’s official support channels or Dell’s community forums for specific guidance related to your hardware and software combination. 🌟

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-03-18T08:36:10+00:00

    I understand the urgency of the situation, and I appreciate your thorough troubleshooting steps. It seems like the missing Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) drivers were indeed causing the issue with BitLocker recovery. Let’s delve into this further and explore potential solutions:

    1. BitLocker Recovery Process:
      • When a user enters the wrong PIN code too many times, BitLocker initiates a device lock recovery event. In such cases, the system should prompt for the recovery key during the next boot.
      • However, if the recovery key prompt doesn’t appear, it could be due to various factors, including missing drivers or other system issues.
    2. [snip]

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