Problem with BitLocker key?
Problem with BitLocker key?
Hi everyone
A few months back I swapped out my motherboard for another identical model – the MSI X570A Pro – and upgraded the CPU to an AMD Ryzen 9 5950X.
I’m currently running Windows 10.
Every time I tried to log in, the system would lock up and start entering random characters instead of accepting the password. Luckily, it accepted the USB BitLocker key.
Later on, the issue returned occasionally, but usually accepted my changed password. I also made a second copy of the BitLocker key using BitLocker, but that didn’t work – only the original one did.
Yesterday I considered backing up the original BitLocker key to another computer and compared it with the second USB copy. They matched perfectly.
However, when I tried it again this morning, the PC still locked up and kept generating random characters. I entered the original USB key, but only saw a black screen with a flashing cursor.
This happened for the first time. It seems using a different computer might have affected the system.
After several tries with BitLocker keys and manually entering the password, it finally accepted mine and I was able to open Windows.
But I’m worried this could happen again, and I won’t be able to access my PC.
Please let me know if I’ve explained everything clearly and if anyone has suggestions on what might be wrong or how to fix it.
Thanks
legepe
Thank you for your message.
I set up BitLocker about four years ago after a network breach, thinking it strengthens security.
Since then, I haven’t restarted my PC, but now my system can’t recognize the USB with the BitLocker key (it says it’s unrecognizable), while another machine works fine.
To avoid losing access to my computer, I’m considering removing BitLocker, though I worry it might cause other issues.
Any additional guidance would be greatly appreciated.
It doesn't guard against hacking through the network.
It safeguards data if someone takes out your HDD/SSD or steals your whole computer.
Using BitLocker makes sense when you need to protect sensitive business or government information on your machine.
For regular users, it offers little value.
TLDR - remove BitLocker.
Could you know if removing the software might affect your data or system performance?
Certainly, issues may arise.
However, it's not due to BitLocker removal.
I backed up my system to an external HD, and I plan to try uninstalling BitLocker.
I verified the HD on another machine, and everything is accessible.
I’m puzzled because I expected BitLocker to encrypt all data, yet I can open files without it. Just a bit confused about this situation?