Can't log in - The parameter is incorrect

[BoxInTheJack]

I first got an error saying "Critical error: cortina and some apps may not work." To fix that I turned on safe mode and restarted. Now, I can't log in. Whenever I try to, and I press enter, it says "the parameter is incorrect"

 

[harryfishrules]

Are you still able to log in using safe mode? If so, could you try following these steps:

1. Press "Windows + R" at the same time
2. Enter "control wuaucpl.cpl" (without speech marks) followed by enter
3. Select "Scan for Updates"
4. Install all updates including optional ones

5. Restart your PC into the normal desktop but don't log in

6. Restart your PC into Safe Mode and login

7. Press "Windows + X" at the same time
8. Select “Command Prompt (Admin)
11. Enter "sfc /scannow" (without the speech marks) into Command Prompt followed by enter
12. Let the scan complete

Let me know how this goes.

 

[BoxInTheJack]

Are you still able to log in using safe mode? If so, could you try following these steps:

1. Press "Windows + R" at the same time
2. Enter "control wuaucpl.cpl" (without speech marks) followed by enter
3. Select "Scan for Updates"
4. Install all updates including optional ones

5. Restart your PC into the normal desktop but don't log in

6. Restart your PC into Safe Mode and login

7. Press "Windows + X" at the same time
8. Select “Command Prompt (Admin)
11. Enter "sfc /scannow" (without the speech marks) into Command Prompt followed by enter
12. Let the scan complete

Let me know how this goes.

Thanks but unfortunately I cannot login. When I restarted into safe mode it started saying the parameter is incorrect when I tried to login

 

[harryfishrules]

Thanks but unfortunately I cannot login. When I restarted into safe mode it started saying the parameter is incorrect when I tried to login

Hmm, this is odd and sounds like a Windows installation issue. I have another method of getting into Safe Mode and let's see if that works.

There's a Tom's Hardware video here: (http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/faq/id-2569556/safe-mode-windows.html) that shows how to access safe mode a second way (it's the second demonstration in the video).

You'll need a Windows Installation CD/USB to do this, you can create one using the tool here: (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-10/media-creation-tool-install)

Once you get to exiting command prompt here, enter the following commands:
1. net user repair /add
2. net localgroup administrators repair /add
3. net user repair
4. It'll prompt you for a password here, enter one of your choice.
5. net user repair /active:yes
6. Now exit as the video instructs

If this gets you to the Safe Mode login screen, login as the user 'repair' with the password you chose. This may take some time as it is a new user account.

If it does login correctly, follow these steps:

1. Press "Windows + X" at the same time
2. Select “Command Prompt (Admin)”
3. Accept any User Account Control popup for “Windows Command Processor”
4. Enter "sfc /scannow" (without the speech marks) into Command Prompt followed by enter
5. Let the scan complete fully

6. Reboot and attempt to boot to the standard desktop (login using the 'repair' account, not your own for now)
7. If this fails, follow the video again to get back into safe mode (no need to enter the 'net' commands this time so just follow the video). If however, it works, then follow the first part of the video to get into safe mode.

6. Press "Windows + R" at the same time
7. Enter "control wuaucpl.cpl" (without speech marks) followed by enter
8. Windows Update should open
9. Select "Scan for Updates"
10. Install all updates including optional ones

I know this is a lot of steps (and I'm sure I've made a typo somewhere) but I thought it was best to tell you all of them at once. All the best and let me know how it goes.