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I hard booted my pc yesterday, and was then presented with a Bitlocker blue screen to enter a recovery key.
The long set of numbers I had stored for this reference was not accepted - but after the better part of the day’s research, I don’t know if what I have is the recovery key or the recovery password.
I have found many sets of instructions to enter the password via command prompt, but if I use the standard approach « manage-bde -unlock c: -rp [the long number I stored without hyphens], it is not accepted. I assume this is the recovery key method. If I use manage-bed -unlock c: -pw, I’m then prompted to enter a password, but when I type on the keyboard, nothing seems to be entered at all - as if the keyboard doesn’t work.
so frustrated - I’m losing work-time over this issue, and dell support thinks the next option is replacing the motherboard? How can I resolve?
(USB is not an option, managed by company policy, I don’t really have a way to get a file onto the pc or even upgrade the bios)
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In the end, I used the reset option that deleted everything on the drive and reinstalled Windows 11. I encourage future 'readers' not to waste time trying to figure out why your recovery key (or password) isn't accepted - just take the hit and reinstall.
I'm disappointed that the system is not allowing me to mark my own post as the answer - there's plenty of times I have posted in forums and then discovered the answer elsewhere on my own, and come back to update my post...
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Please don't forget to close up the thread by marking answer.
Replacing hardware isn't required for a bitlocker issue. Yes, deleting / recreating partitions is necessary.
--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
Some places to look here.
Replacement hardware is not required. If you don't have the key, then simply clean install the operating system.
--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
Thanks for the direction, but I’ve been trying to sort this out all day - I’ve been directed to that page many times.
And I have SOMETHING,, I just don’t know if it’s the key or the password. If it’s the key, then Bitlocker isn’t accepting it as an accurate key, and if it’s the password, the command prompt isn’t letting me enter it.
Ok, sounds good, please don't forget to close up the thread here by marking answer.
The manage-bde status says I have both a TPM and a numerical password.
the other field values under status seem odd - conversion status is unknown, percentage encrypted is unknown, protection status is unknown.
May need to consult the instruction manual for your hardware.
--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
Is there just no way to tell if the long number I have is the key or the password?
The mother board manual would have this info. 48 chars is the correct length for a bitlocker key.
--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
Just checking if there's any progress or updates?
--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
I’m planning on formatting the drive and reinstalling Windows.
I’m confused as to why the motherboard would be involved at all, isn’t Bitlocker software-based?
Sounds good, please don't forget to close up the thread here by marking answer.
There hasn't been a good answer. I've resorted to drastic measures to resolve.
There are no other answers. Its as simple as this. If you do not have the key then a clean install is required. There simply are no other options for you. Try to make sure you have backups for the next time.
--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--
I have not resolved the issue yet, I’m waiting to hear back from Dell to see if they think replacing the motherboard or reinstalling Windows is the best option. I also have yet to determine if I have to delete the partition and re-format or if a fresh install of Windows will be sufficient to resolve..
