Is there a way to access locked computer remotely? I lost USB ports

[Astralv]

I lost USB ports after Windows 8.1 update (see my post here: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1846503/computer-boot-windows-update.html

I am in safe mode in front of password screen to log in but I can not type. Is there any way to access this computer remotely to install USB driver?

(Any other ways to sneak USB driver in would be great!)

I am out of option. I did system restore- failed. I don't want to reinstall Windows- it has too much data between C and D drive... and I am afraid- it will install new Windows and USB will still not work. (USB works in BIOS). Please, help!

 

[Astralv]

COLGeek, you mean page 3.3? I don't see anything referring to keyboard and mouse.

 

[Astralv]

I changed Intel xHCI Mode to Enabled. I reconnected k and m to USB 2 (it was in usb 3)- nothing. All usb ports go dark after win. loads.

 

[COLGeek]

No. I mean, Section 3.6.5 USB Configuration on page 3-33.

 

[Astralv]

Yeah, it shows keyboard and mouse.

By the way- how do I add my SSD to the boot directory? It was there but nor only has HDD and DVD. I have to open "Boot menu" and click on SSD to load Windows (not that it related to original problem- it just now boots to BIOS first, which is ok, but...)

 

[johnbl]

when windows attempts to boot, it is doing a full boot not a restore from a sleep state?

if it is doing a restore from sleep and you had a mouse/keyboard switch, the switch may not have kept the proper electrical connection to the usb device, the OS may detect this and turn of the unused device and saved the state for your restore.
(you would get a restore with the usb hub off)
if that is the case you can power cycle the machine early in the windows boot process and force a full boot in a powered state. then after it works you can got to control panel device manager and tell windows not to ever turn off your ports

 

[Astralv]

John, I am not understanding you. I don't think it wakes up from sleep. It now only starts with BIOS as SSD some how got out from boot menu- I have to click on it for it to boot. I don't know what is "power cycle" something. I can not get anywhere past the image before password screen. And I did try to unplug the power cord.

 

[COLGeek]

Look in Section 3.8 starting on page 3-42.

I suggest disabling Secure Boot (set to Other OS).

 

[Astralv]

I set to Other OS, but it is not showing SSC in the boot option (the boot option where you drag them- picture symbols of drives).

 

[COLGeek]

You may need to check your SATA data and power cable connections to the SSD to ensure they are firmly attached. Check on the data connection on the motherboard as well.

 

[Astralv]

No- it was set to HDD in boot option 1. I changed it and it boots from SSD, without USB... 🙁

So what's the recommendation?

1). I can reset CMOS
2). Update BIOS
3). Run "Refresh" from Windows install DVD without affecting files (most likely will fail as restore point did fail).
4). Reinstall Windows on this drive
5). Reinstall Windows on the new SSD. (I bought it to attempt to install OS X on this sytem- it still in the mail- should come next week). I don't know if I will be able to reformat SSD for Mac OS after it had Windows on it- not very desired option.

Any other ideas? Thank you. (Will be back by 4 pm EST.)

 

[COLGeek]

I would perform a clean install with only a single SSD connected. Before doing so, return the BIOS to its default state.

After you get a clean install on the SSD, you can reconnect other storage devices.

Do not install Windows with both a SSD and HDD attached, this will cause a problem with where system files get written. Only have the SSD attached when you install Windows.

 

[Astralv]

What you mean b clean install? Not to try "Refresh"? I can try as I have nothing else to lose. Now when I do need to fresh install- do I somehow format hard drive? Isn't' installer will ask me if I want to format hard drive?

 

[COLGeek]

A clean (a.k.a. custom) install will ensure you don't have any issues from a previous installation. Yes, you should format (which will remove and over-write) the partition when you get to that part of the installation.

 

[johnbl]

your usb will work until windows turns it off. your keyboard should also work from BIOS
until windows turns it off because of the usb port.
attempt to boot windows and Press and keep tapping the F8 key until you catch the boot option menu of the boot loader. you should get a menu rather than the log in screen. you can boot in safe mode or do a repair. (there might only be a short window of time to catch the boot option screen, just a second or two)

edit: sorry I forgot windows 8 changed this

 

[johnbl]

John, I am not understanding you. I don't think it wakes up from sleep. It now only starts with BIOS as SSD some how got out from boot menu- I have to click on it for it to boot. I don't know what is "power cycle" something. I can not get anywhere past the image before password screen. And I did try to unplug the power cord.

just cut the power while the system is on the windows log in screen. the next time you power up windows should detect the bad shutdown and give you a boot option menu.

 

[johnbl]

a incorrect smbios table passed from your motherboard BIOS to windows can be the cause of your ports turning off. only real fix for this would be to update the BIOS and attempt to boot your SSD. I would give this a shot before I wiped my drive

 

[Astralv]

Attempted to Refresh the OS (supposedly keep some files). Believe it or not- it was not able to. Says, "Your drive is locked. Please, unlock the drive and try again. How is it locked, and how do I unlock it? I am wondering if it will state the same for the clean reinstall.

 

[Astralv]

Updated BIOS. No effect on USBs. Will be reinstalling OS.

 

[johnbl]

Updated BIOS. No effect on USBs. Will be reinstalling OS.

well at least you have a updated BIOS.
(you still could disable any non standard USB charger, apple chargers use 3 times over current and are not up to current specs for PC devices, windows might be detecting this and shut down your USB, just another guess)