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4 Posts
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449
March 19th, 2023 11:00
17 R4, Bitlocker issue
Alienware 17 R4
Hello guys
1st time poster so be gentle.
Having stripped down my R17 R4 to replace a noisy fan. Warranty expired November 2018. I had a few issues mostly resolved with the help of searching these forums, I am hopefully on my last issue now.
Laptop was down for about a week while I fixed issues of my rebuild one of which was breaking the connector on my bios battery so I have installed a new one now which I assume is why I now have the bitlocker popup. I cannot access my Microsoft account though to get my code (assuming one is saved there). Long story but basically I'm not receiving email verification codes.
However plugging my SSD into my other Alienware I can still access all my files through file explorer! What exactly is bitlocker for then? Since I have access to the hard drive is there anyway to find my code? I have been Googling for a couple of hours now but getting nowhere?
crimsom
7 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
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March 19th, 2023 12:00
Hi @Gazman195 thank you for sharing update.
On the newer Alienware Windows 11 PC visit BitLocker Drive Encryption and turn off BitLocker on Alienware 17 R4 drives.
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
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March 19th, 2023 11:00
Hi @Gazman195 welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum.
BitLocker Drive Encryption protects files and folders from unauthorised access.
Having replaced coin-cell battery and encountered BitLocker popup, please undertake Hard Reset (Flea power release) to remove BIOS settings.
For Windows 10, when activated, a 'BitLocker Recovery Key' may have been saved to your online Microsoft account, an external device, printed, etc.
If permission granted to open HDD or SSD files and folders on different PC (curious), search to find 'BitLocker Recovery Key' for your Alienware 17 R4.
BitLocker is Prompting for a Recovery Key, and You Cannot Locate the Key | Dell US
Gazman195
4 Posts
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March 19th, 2023 12:00
Hello crimsom
Thanks for your reply.
I have tryed searching for "BitLocker Recovery Key" (using file explorer) with nothing found.
If I serch just "Bitlocker" I get 3 folders and about 80 odd files though, Could it be hidden in there somewhere.
Possibly does not help the drive/laptop I am trying to get working is Windows 10 but the hardrive is currently in my newer Alienware which is Windows 11.
Of course what I really do not want to do is accedently lock the hardrive so that I cannot access it at all.
Gazman195
4 Posts
0
March 19th, 2023 13:00
I am back in!!!!
Thank you, Thank you!
Didnt find the exact page you screenshoted but after searching control panel for bitlocker I found this menu which allowed me to backup recovery keys to a usb.
Plugged harddrive back into R17 R4 along with the usb and straight in, Up and running.
I guess when I put the SSD into my newer x17 R2 it automatically encrypted the drive.
Thank goodness for that lol, I have had a killer week from changing that fan. Broke the bios battery connecter, Battery expanded to 2" thick so had to replace that too. Snapped a cable clip and had 2 screws that would not go back in.
Then when I had it back together and started up I had no display, After 3 strip downs and rebuilds I sussed a slightly damaged cable/socket I must have accidently forced which a bit of wiggling seems to have fixed.
Thank you again for helping on a Sunday evening, You are a lifesaver!