Computer Troubleshooting/Help Master Thread

[Yisroel Tech]

Spacebar on my Surface Book Pro has stopped working completely. Was intermittent for a while and is now completely dead. Removed the key, cleaned it, and did all that. No amount of pressure on the actual button underneath produces a space. I'm years out of warranty at this point.

Any ideas?

If it's physical, then there is not much that can be advised on fixing it.

When you remove the key and press the middle (real button) manually does it work?

But maybe you can reassign another key (maybe the right-Alt/AltGr) as a space key... with a program like PowerToys Keyboard Manager.

[etech0]

Spacebar on my Surface Book Pro has stopped working completely. Was intermittent for a while and is now completely dead. Removed the key, cleaned it, and did all that. No amount of pressure on the actual button underneath produces a space. I'm years out of warranty at this point.

Any ideas?

maybeseeifyoucanlivewithoutithowimportantisaspacebaranyways?

[Something Fishy]

When you remove the key and press the middle (real button) manually does it work?

Correct.

But maybe you can reassign another key (maybe the right-Alt/AltGr) as a space key... with a program like PowerToys Keyboard Manager.

Did this for now, let's see how annoying using the right ALT button as space will get lol.

[Yisroel Tech]

Correct.

Perhaps try this https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/surface-pro-3-type-cover-spacebar-does-not-work/f932316d-970d-4f85-abe0-8e1edb1dd40c

Did this for now, let's see how annoying using the right ALT button as space will get lol.

You're all in Alt-Right now!... 

[Something Fishy]

Perhaps try this https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/surface-pro-3-type-cover-spacebar-does-not-work/f932316d-970d-4f85-abe0-8e1edb1dd40c

You're all in Alt-Right now!... 

Saw that. Won't help if pressing down on the real button with significant force doesn't work.

[Yisroel Tech]

Saw that. Won't help if pressing down on the real button with significant force doesn't work.

Not necessarily correct. If the button is a bit deformed putting the tape (etc.) in the correct position specifically in the middle, pressing the actual button may help.

[Yo ssi]

Could be the contact is a bit corroded, you'd have to get under the membrane to see though.

[Jojo202]

Microsoft surface Tablet, when I turn on just goes straight to Windows logo with red bar and lock Icon on top. No amount of button mashing can get me to the UEFI options. Any ideas? I'm assuming there's a piece of dead hardware inside, but what...?

[etech0]

If I upgrade to Windows 11 and hate it, is there an easy way to switch back?

[Yisroel Tech]

If I upgrade to Windows 11 and hate it, is there an easy way to switch back?

For a few days https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000192019/how-to-roll-back-windows-11-upgrade-to-a-previous-operating-system

If you really want to be safe, and have where to store it... do a full disk image (with Macrium Reflect Free or the like) that you can anytime restore in full.

[etech0]

For a few days https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000192019/how-to-roll-back-windows-11-upgrade-to-a-previous-operating-system

If you really want to be safe, and have where to store it... do a full disk image (with Macrium Reflect Free or the like) that you can anytime restore in full.

Thanks! 10 days should do it I think.

[myi]

After installing Windows 11 my system doesn't boot up properly, gets stuck while powering up the device.

Every 10th or 20th Boot up I can get the windows to load

 What's my best bet to reinstall Windows 10 and wipe Windows 11?

Errors I get look like this.

[Yisroel Tech]

After installing Windows 11 my system doesn't boot up properly, gets stuck while powering up the device.

Every 10th or 20th Boot up I can get the windows to load

 What's my best bet to reinstall Windows 10 and wipe Windows 11?

Errors I get look like this.

A BIOS error of time not set cannot really have to do with Windows 11 vs 10. And even if the upgrade caused it, a reinstallation of the OS (which isn't at all yet loaded at this point of the error) won't fix it.

What happens when you press Continue on this error/warning page? Doesn't it boot?

What is it? You can try the following https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000137978/supportassist-time-of-day-not-set-error-seen-on-start-up-on-dell-mobile-systems

[Jojo202]

After installing Windows 11 my system doesn't boot up properly, gets stuck while powering up the device.

Every 10th or 20th Boot up I can get the windows to load

 What's my best bet to reinstall Windows 10 and wipe Windows 11?

Errors I get look like this.

Did you set the BIOS clock? Is your clock battery dying?

[myi]

A BIOS error of time not set cannot really have to do with Windows 11 vs 10. And even if the upgrade caused it, a reinstallation of the OS (which isn't at all yet loaded at this point of the error) won't fix it.

What happens when you press Continue on this error/warning page? Doesn't it boot?

What is it? You can try the following https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000137978/supportassist-time-of-day-not-set-error-seen-on-start-up-on-dell-mobile-systems

Had the same issue a year ago. I honestly don't remember the exact steps. But paid $99 to Dell support. From I recall we loaded onto an USB stick a windows 10 recovery and then somehow went to the windows startup repair(Though i can't seem to get there. ) and selected the USB with the loaded files and erased current version of 11 and reinstalled W10.

Did you set the BIOS clock? Is your clock battery dying?

I should be more specific seems like that's one of the random errors that pop up.  While writing my post here
 That was the current error. Most times the windows boots all the way to the sign in page for a user but the keys are frozen and I can't enter any passcode. Or ever if enter the passcode it just loads to log by the user sign-on for hrs. So I end up restarting the windows multiple times until I can get it to boot up properly. 
 Last year when installing w10 again the laptop worked just fine.  Now it forced upon me w11 and causing the same issues. At this point I'm ready to get a new laptop
 As this current dell laptop is slow like a snail and just outdated since 2019.
 But for the time being if I can get it back up and running I would until I find a new laptop.   

Safe mode loads fine. Just couldn't get the windows key and bottom bar to load. So no internet or search functions.
 Everything is backed up to one drive. So nothing that I need on my windows computer.  Don't care to wipe or reset it.

[Yisroel Tech]

Last year when installing w10 again the laptop worked just fine.  Now it forced upon me w11 and causing the same issues. At this point I'm ready to get a new laptop
 As this current dell laptop is slow like a snail and just outdated since 2019.
 But for the time being if I can get it back up and running I would until I find a new laptop.   

Safe mode loads fine. Just couldn't get the windows key and bottom bar to load. So no internet or search functions.
 Everything is backed up to one drive. So nothing that I need on my windows computer.

First thing then would be to try a full reset on Windows 11 (Settings  > System  > Recovery > Reset this PC, and choose to do it from Cloud and not keep anything.)

[myi]

Did you set the BIOS clock? Is your clock battery dying?

Cool beans. Didn't know they had such a battery.  I'll be opening my laptop after shabbos to check it out.

Is this a must have? I've seen it before but was never sure If this really helps?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002QKMEG?

[Yisroel Tech]

Cool beans. Didn't know they had such a battery.  I'll be opening my laptop after shabbos to check it out.

Is this a must have? I've seen it before but was never sure If this really helps?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002QKMEG?

The battery thing was about the time not being set, but your other issues cannot have to do with the battery...

An Anti-Static Wrist Strap is "technically" needed and when it's needed it certainly helps, but TBH I have never seen a case where static damaged a computer (though that doesn't mean that theoretically it cannot happen.)

[myi]

First thing then would be to try a full reset on Windows 11 (Settings  > System  > Recovery > Reset this PC, and choose to do it from Cloud and not keep anything.)

Well try that if I can get it to boot up properly.
 Will keep you posted. Won't be back till Sunday. So will update then.

[myi]

The battery thing was about the time not being set, but your other issues cannot have to do with the battery...

An Anti-Static Wrist Strap is "technically" needed and when it's needed it certainly helps, but TBH I have never seen a case where static damaged a computer (though that doesn't mean that theoretically it cannot happen.)

The post he linked did meantion these 2 errors can occur if there's a dead battery.

Error Messages: You might see error messages related to CMOS or BIOS settings during startup.

Boot Issues: In some cases, a dead CMOS battery can cause problems during the boot process, including failure to POST (Power-On Self-Test) or boot loops.

  I have an excuse to open my laptop so why not.  Was on my bucket list to open a laptop. Dissected and repaired all types of phones
 But never made it to a laptop or computer.