Cannot log on to Windows after motherboard change

mjw72652 · Nov 19, 2024

A Dell technician replaced my motherboard today. After the replacement, turning on the computer led to the BIOS being flashed. Upon rebooting, the lock screen appeared. After dismissing it, the logon screen shows my name, my Microsoft account with my picture and a message "Your PIN is no longer available due to a change to the security settings on this device. Click to set up your PIN again." There is an option to click on for Set up my PIN. When I click on this it goes back to the lock screen.

This is a Dell XPS-8960 Intel core i9 with 32 cores and 64 GB of memory running Windows 11 Pro 23H2 with all updates installed.

Does anyone know how I can fix this?

neemobeer · Nov 19, 2024

Pins are stored in the TPM which is on the motherboard. You should still be able to login with a password

mjw72652 · Nov 19, 2024

The problem is that Windows is not giving me any logon options so there is no way to enter the password.

neemobeer · Nov 19, 2024

There should be a 'sign-in options' below that or a picture of a key (password)

mjw72652 · Nov 19, 2024

None of these options appear- there is nothing else on the screen except the message about the PIN no longer available

zbook · Nov 19, 2024

Consider re-contacting the Dell technician?

Note: In cases where a replacement motherboard does not have the preinjected key that automatically activates Windows, Dell tech support provides a Service Product Key for Windows.

Some links:

Reactivating Windows after a hardware change - Microsoft Support

Learn how to prepare your Windows device for a hardware change and find help reactivating Windows after a hardware change is complete.

support.microsoft.com

Activating Windows After the Motherboard Has Been Replaced | Dell Australia

mjw72652 · Nov 19, 2024

The technician had no idea what to do. My last Dell was an 8940 that had the motherboard replaced, and this problem did not occur. I called Dell support, but their only solution was to restore the computer to factory settings.

zbook · Nov 19, 2024

mjw72652 said:
The technician had no idea what to do. My last Dell was an 8940 that had the motherboard replaced, and this problem did not occur. I called Dell support, but their only solution was to restore the computer to factory settings.

Ask Dell support what is the next step if restore the computer to factory settings fails to fix "Your PIN is no longer available due to a change to the security settings on this device"

If you can boot to a flash drive then you can save files and install a fresh version of Windows.

Drivers and applications need to be reinstalled.

bobkn · Nov 19, 2024

mjw72652 said:
The technician had no idea what to do. My last Dell was an 8940 that had the motherboard replaced, and this problem did not occur. I called Dell support, but their only solution was to restore the computer to factory settings.

Would that be a problem?

mjw72652 · Nov 19, 2024

bobkn · Nov 19, 2024

Too bad.

Why?

zbook · Nov 19, 2024

These are options for saving files / installing a fresh version Windows:

Custom install:

Custom Install Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to do a custom clean install of Windows 11 on your PC. When you perform a custom install of Windows 11, a clean install of Windows 11 is performed only on the same partition as the current installation of Windows to replace it. The previous installation is moved...

www.elevenforum.com

Restore Files from Windows.old Folder in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to manually restore files from the Windows.old folder in Windows 11. When you upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10, repair install Windows 11, custom install Windows 11, or update to a new version of Windows 11 (ex: Windows Update), a copy of the previous...

www.elevenforum.com

Clean install:

Clean Install Windows 11

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...

www.elevenforum.com

Ubuntu / linux:

Create a bootable USB stick on Ubuntu | Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.

ubuntu.com

Download Official Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft

This tutorial will show you how to download an official Windows Server or Windows 11 64-bit or ARM64 ISO file from Microsoft. Microsoft provides ISO files for Windows Server and Windows 11 to download. You can use these ISO files to clean install or in-place upgrade Windows 11. The Flight Hub...

www.elevenforum.com

Download Windows 11

neemobeer · Nov 19, 2024

I don't use a microsoft account and info is spare on whether or not these types of accounts hold their creds in the SAM, TPM or just rely on schannel to auth against MS servers (I'm guessing it's the latter, but they may also cache similar to how AD does). If it's the latter then you may be stuck doing a reinstall. I'm also unsure if there is anyway from another account to affect a Microsoft account on a system.

PerpetualCycle · Nov 20, 2024

You can find two possible solutions here. Can't voucher for them, just did a web search, but search around the answers.microsoft.com site. It is a microsoft issue.

Microsoft answers

zbook · Nov 20, 2024

PerpetualCycle said:
Redirecting

That may have been a hard reboot (option #9)

Boot to Advanced Startup (WinRE) in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to boot to the advanced startup (WinRE) in Windows 11. The Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a companion operating system installed alongside Windows 11, typically in a separate partition, that can help with troubleshooting, recovery, or booting from...

www.elevenforum.com

hunnypuppy · Jan 6, 2025

I tried everything and nothing worked until I found this video and registry hack to reenable sign in options.

The Dell tech told me that in future before replacing a motherboard i should switch to a local login password instead of PIN.

ROTARY · Jan 6, 2025

Seriously, you need to fire the Dell tech.
He replaced your motherboard, yes.
Every motherboard has its own unique serial number.
Your Windows Account uses this motherboard number as verification you own PC and your Windows OS is genuine and you paid for MS licence.
Windows now belives you have a new PC because it has a new motherboard therefore you have to purchase a new Windows 11 key and enter to Activate your new PC.

x509 · Jan 12, 2025

ROTARY said:
Seriously, you need to fire the Dell tech.
He replaced your motherboard, yes.
Every motherboard has its own unique serial number.
Your Windows Account uses this motherboard number as verification you own PC and your Windows OS is genuine and you paid for MS licence.
Windows now belives you have a new PC because it has a new motherboard therefore you have to purchase a new Windows 11 key and enter to Activate your new PC.

Technically yes, but it's not like you are doing anything wrong. Call or chat with MS and explain the situation. Bad look for Dell not to take care of this.

Cannot log on to Windows after motherboard change

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