PC Stuck On "Choose Your Keyboard Layout" Screen - Windows 10

[jecann]

OK, so my PC will not boot to Windows and is stuck at the "Choose Your Keyboard Layout Screen".

After many tries to reboot in safe mode, and other attempts, I believe I need to reinstall Windows. I have no earlier restore points available.

After reading many other similar threads, what I have done so far is created a new windows 10 recovery disk with another computer by downloading and burning the image from Windows website.

I decided to take this opportunity to upgrade my HDD to a SDD, since I'm going through the effort to reinstall Windows anyway. I have purchased a new 256 GB SSD, mounting bracket adapter and cable to install.

I purchased a SATA to USB Cable to remove my existing HDD and back it up before I attempt the fix.


My question is:

Should I disconnect the existing HDD and reinstall Windows with only the new SSD connected and add in the old HDD later, or should I try to reinstall Windows with only the old HDD connected and try to save all my software, settings, etc., then add in the new SSD, at which point I assume I would clone the old HDD to the new SSD then change the boot sequence in the BIOS to boot from the new SSD instead of the old HDD, at which point I assume I would format the old HDD and then reload any files, like pictures, music, movies, Steam Files, etc. to the old HDD.

Boy that was a mouth full, Thanks for your help and advice!

 

[Colif]

This recovery disc, did you get it using a program called Win 10 media creation tool? If so, its actually a win 10 installer

I would remove the hdd and install win 10 with only the ssd attached, then once it boots up by itself I would add the hdd back and copy anything off it you want to keep. Follow this handy guide to install process: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-windows-10-clean-install.html

You can later take ownership of the old windows folders and delete it so you don't really need to format the hdd: https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc753659(v=ws.11).aspx

An alternate is use that cable you have now or use http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/use-ubuntu-live-cd-to-backup-files-from-your-dead-windows-computer/ to copy everything off the hdd and use http://www.dban.org/ to ipe it at some time later.

What size ssd did you buy?

 

[jecann]

Thanks Colif,

I did use Win 10 media creation tool, so, it is actually a win 10 installer disk.

I bought a 256GB SSD.

Of the methods you linked, is there one that will allow me to restore my files and desktop to the same as they were before the crash? Is that what the "Take Ownership" link is referring to?

Thanks!

 

[Colif]

what crash? I assumed you had done a reset and that was why you were stuck at that screen as PC was ignoring your mouse/keyboard, as that is an odd screen to find self at otherwise

if you want to fix the hdd install, you can use the win 10 installer as a boot disc and try a few things - change boot order in BIOS so USB is first, hdd second

1. Try safe mode:
boot from installer, on 2nd screen after languages, choose repair this PC, not install
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose start up options << This menu might not be here so instead choose Start up repair instead (and skip next step)
hit the restart button
choose a safe mode (it doesn't matter which) by using number associated with it.
PC will restart and load safe mode

simply getting into safe mode might fix it

2. Start up repair
change boot order so USB is first, hdd second
boot from installer
on screen after languages, choose repair this pc, not install.
choose troubleshoot
choose advanced
choose start up repair - this will scan PC and maybe fix this - will ask for logon info

3. what you do here really depends on why you crashed. Some of the fixes might be a fresh install in which case just go do it on SSD, and use hdd as storage and copy all the files/steam folders you want to save later on

 

[jecann]

Sorry I was't clear. I don't know if you call it a crash, but I was testing the connection of a new modem and it wasn't connecting, and during a restart it went to that "Choose Your Keyboard Layout Screen" and I can't get off it.

I'll try your methods with the installer with the original HDD, then if it all gets back to normal, I'll do a more controlled move of my OS to the SDD.

Does that sound right?

 

[Colif]

you don't happen to have a recovery disc or something in a CD drive? as the choose keyboard layout thing is part of the windows install process. its a strange thing to pop up after a restart

 

[jecann]

Nothing in the CD drive. I had this error once before on a different laptop pc I had after a Windows 10 update last year, and I was able to use a restore point to fix it, but this pc has no available restore point.

 

[Colif]

try the two things I suggested above, otherwise we just use the ssd and copy files/folders off it onto ssd later. All your files are still on it, just need to reinstall a few programs.

 

[jecann]

OK thanks again!

As I try the process will you be available to respond to this thread if I ask another question, or is it best to start a new thread? It won't be until Monday before I do this because my cable to back up the HDD is shipping Sunday.


Thanks!

 

[Colif]

just ask in here so I can remember what we were doing

 

[jecann]

Colif (I hope you are still reading this),

I just used the installer cd to boot and follow your steps above. I tried several times, but the "advanced startup options" never appeared as an option, so I used the command prompt option to boot into safe mode by entering bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal.

Now I'm in safe mode and can see my desktop, but there was a window on my desktop that said. "This app can't open" "Get Started can't be opened using the Built-in Administrator account. Sign in with a different account and try again."

I closed that window and it took away a few of my desktop folders, but I'm not sure which ones.

I'm not sure what to do from here while in safe mode.

 

[jecann]

OK, I opened the command prompt in safe mode and entered msconfig and changed my boot option to standard, not Safe Mode. I restarted and I am in my desktop, but many of my desktop icons are grayed out (hidden files). I can open them though, they are just shown as hidden, so I opened windows explorer and in the properties of the desktop I unselected "hidden files" and applied to all subfolders.

I looked for the create a restore point, but the control panel wouldn't open, and nothing came up when I searched for "Restore" so I restarted............and now I'm back at square 1.......stuck on the "choose your keyboard layout" again.

Maybe now I will try to reinstall windows on the existing hard drive.

 

[Colif]

i would fresh install win 10 onto the ssd, and copy anything you want off hdd once win 10 works on ssd. That way can save documents

Colif (I hope you are still reading this),

Now I'm in safe mode and can see my desktop, but there was a window on my desktop that said. "This app can't open" "Get Started can't be opened using the Built-in Administrator account. Sign in with a different account and try again."

normally when you go into safe mode you don't go in the way you did and it asks you to login to your normal account. since you forced way in it skipped that and used the built in admin account that can't access the control panel or a few other things.

when you restarted the first time, did it ask for you login as usual?

System restore is hidden really well in win 10 and pretty much only way to find it is via start up repair. Microsoft trying to get people to stop using it.

 

[jecann]

Thank you so much Colif!