Need some computer help

[rapmarks]

In early may I had my computer stop working due to bitlocker problem with Microsoft.
I had purchased TurboTax premier from Costco and had filed an extension for my sons taxes
All this was lost
My daughter purchased a windows 11 in s mode for me, I did not ask for it or choose it.
I am trying to download turbo tax to continue taxes.
I get this message. Windows in s mode only runs apps from the Microsoft store.
It wants me to purchase a different app

Or I can switch out is s mode, which would be permanent.

I don’t know what to do, as I really don’t know what s mode is

 

[Greg G]

I would switch out of S mode as from internet searches it is way to restrictive compared to the potential safety and slight speed gains it provides. See the following post for more information (there are tons of internet posts on this and switching out of S mode).

https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/1df0fle/absolutely_hate_the_prison_that_is_windows_11_s

https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/1df0fle/comment/l8iehfg

 

[rapmarks]

Looks like I am going to have a hard time getting it out of s mode.
I am super upset because I only wanted the computer to do taxes.
To top it off everything from past two years has disappeared from one drive and my supplemental. Hard drive. My 2023 and 24 taxes are no longer available, which means all the carryover has disappeared.

 

[Greg G]

You might want to consider using Turbo Tax online in the future. Not sure of the cost difference between that and the desktop version. You may be able to recover the turbo tax files from the old hard drive(s). See if there is a tech store close by that could do this.

 

[billymach4]

Looks like I am going to have a hard time getting it out of s mode.
I am super upset because I only wanted the computer to do taxes.
To top it off everything from past two years has disappeared from one drive and my supplemental. Hard drive. My 2023 and 24 taxes are no longer available, which means all the carryover has disappeared.

Wish I could help. Without seeing first hand what you are experiencing it is difficult for anyone to help. I have actually never heard of Windows S mode either.

If it's any consolation I seriously doubt you totally lost your Turbo Tax files. What ever you are experiencing is probably preventing you from seeing that part of the filesystem.

You may need to take your pc to a trusted professional.

Going forward you will now know to backup a copy of the Turbotax data file for each return separately on an external device. It could simply a small thumb drive.

 

[billymach4]

You might want to consider using Turbo Tax online in the future. Not sure of the cost difference between that and the desktop version. You may be able to recover the turbo tax files from the old hard drive(s). See if there is a tech store close by that could do this.

Yes I am sure the data files on the storage device. The current state of Windows is just not seeing that datafile.

 

[dioxide45]

Switching out of S Mode should be relatively simple, but once you do there is no going back to S mode. Simple Google or YouTube searches can help in figuring out how to switch out of S Mode.

 

[jp10558]

If bitlocker tripped and he doesn't have a recovery key, the files are there, but they're encrypted and you're not getting that back.

Take the S mode computer back if you can, and make sure to buy a "real windows" computer for turbotax. Also, backups backups backups - get some backup plan. This is exactly why. You also need to test restores to make sure the backups are working.

 

[billymach4]

If bitlocker tripped and he doesn't have a recovery key, the files are there, but they're encrypted and you're not getting that back.

Take the S mode computer back if you can, and make sure to buy a "real windows" computer for turbotax. Also, backups backups backups - get some backup plan. This is exactly why. You also need to test restores to make sure the backups are working.

Yes but? From what we are reading it looks like we are past bitlocker.
And if it has been locked by bitlocker? How can you even start windows in any mode?

 

[rapmarks]

I have not found them anywhere
The day my computer bit the dust, I had just changed some tax information. I had saved it, but there is nothing there. I did not print it as I was waiting for one more piece if information
It is strange that 2023 disappeared also. I have paper copies of 23 but nothing for my sons 24 return
I had someone work on my former computer, but it showed 0 files in documents and pictures
I had hoped when I downloaded TurboTax it would have something but nothing is there.
I have the time to renter information but it is a pain. Add to that I am in Wisc for the summer.
I can see that my external hard drive may have stopped working last year and I didn’t notice, but why would one drive stop working

 

[billymach4]

I rarely if ever get into requests for Tech help on a live pc issue here on TUG. It's almost impossible to get are birds eye view, look, feel for the issue without being hands on.

 

[jp10558]

Yes but? From what we are reading it looks like we are past bitlocker.
And if it has been locked by bitlocker? How can you even start windows in any mode?

I rarely if ever get into requests for Tech help on a live pc issue here on TUG. It's almost impossible to get are birds eye view, look, feel for the issue without being hands on.

Fair enough - I didn't realize he can boot Windows - I thought that was on his new PC. Files just being gone, an external drive dying (this happens some times)... You're right - probably the best bet is to take it somewhere and see what if anything can be done. The technical details don't make sense, which is probably a communication error.

 

[billymach4]

I have not found them anywhere
The day my computer bit the dust, I had just changed some tax information. I had saved it, but there is nothing there. I did not print it as I was waiting for one more piece if information
It is strange that 2023 disappeared also. I have paper copies of 23 but nothing for my sons 24 return
I had someone work on my former computer, but it showed 0 files in documents and pictures
I had hoped when I downloaded TurboTax it would have something but nothing is there.
I have the time to renter information but it is a pain. Add to that I am in Wisc for the summer.
I can see that my external hard drive may have stopped working last year and I didn’t notice, but why would one drive stop working

Hard drives can fail due to any number is reasons. For example the circuit board may have a short or some sort of burnt out electrical issue. Again without seeing the pc in our hands we are all just giving this our best guess.

Believe me I feel your angst and frustration.

 

[rapmarks]

Yes but? From what we are reading it looks like we are past bitlocker.
And if it has been locked by bitlocker? How can you even start windows in any mode?

Old computer got hit by bitlocker in May

When I accessed one drive on my iPad, at first it only showed info from 2018 and earlier. Then the next time, information appeared from 2022 and earlier. But 2023 and 24 are not showing up anywhere.

So currently, I got it out is S mode
Downloaded turbo tax premier
It had my code for the software but no files at all.

I will start from scratch on my sons return
I think I will have to input all my tax return information again too so I can do next years. I have a lot of carry overs.

I remember now that I had a small drive that I saved to for added back up, but I don’t remember where I put the drive. Last year was pretty bad health wise and I had chemo brain when I did my taxes.

 

[billymach4]

Glad you got out of S mode. Now I need to find out more about s mode. Sounds like the old safe mode.

Just backup when you reach a stopping point. Backup the Turbo tax data file to a separate device. Could be to a simple USB device

 

[rapmarks]

I forgot how much work it is when you can’t import last years information. What a pain! Add to that getting used to a new computer.

 

[jp10558]

Glad you got out of S mode. Now I need to find out more about s mode. Sounds like the old safe mode.

No, it's not safe mode, it was a "cheaper" Windows license I think, that tried to make a Windows version kinda like Android is - only Microsoft store Apps, no "normal Windows Programs". Aside from supposedly driving the price down (which makes me wonder if it's technically legal to just "go out of S mode") I can't really see why anyone wanted that... like many MS things in the last couple decades I guess.

 

[Rolltydr]

When I accessed one drive on my iPad, at first it only showed info from 2018 and earlier.

You have an iPad? There appears to be a turbotax app that you may be able to use. It is a slimmed down version and may not have everything you need depending on how complicated your taxes are. As someone mentioned above, you can also use the online version in a browser on your iPad.

I hate Windows. I haven’t used it since I retired 13 years ago!

 

[dioxide45]

No, it's not safe mode, it was a "cheaper" Windows license I think, that tried to make a Windows version kinda like Android is - only Microsoft store Apps, no "normal Windows Programs". Aside from supposedly driving the price down (which makes me wonder if it's technically legal to just "go out of S mode") I can't really see why anyone wanted that... like many MS things in the last couple decades I guess.

S-Mode is just a mode of Windows 11 Home Edition. I don't really understand the purpose other than it is a little easier to use for the not so tech savvy user but any Windows 11 Home Edition can be switched out of S-Mode. Switching out of S-Mode is a one way thing. You can't go back to S-Mode.

 

[Greg G]

I will start from scratch on my sons return
I think I will have to input all my tax return information again too so I can do next years. I have a lot of carry overs.

As others have indicated take the computer to a local tech specialist to see if the files can be recovered. As others indicated, if the hard drive is still good, and you/they can get the encryption key bit locker uses, then they should be able to extract the data from the hard drive.

 

[jp10558]

S-Mode is just a mode of Windows 11 Home Edition. I don't really understand the purpose other than it is a little easier to use for the not so tech savvy user but any Windows 11 Home Edition can be switched out of S-Mode. Switching out of S-Mode is a one way thing. You can't go back to S-Mode.

I thought it was more like Windows RT was, but I guess not. Then again, I don't at all see the purpose either - yet another "clippy" lol.

 

[rapmarks]

You have an iPad? There appears to be a turbotax app that you may be able to use. It is a slimmed down version and may not have everything you need depending on how complicated your taxes are. As someone mentioned above, you can also use the online version in a browser on your iPad.

I hate Windows. I haven’t used it since I retired 13 years ago!

I already paid for turbo tax premier, and two state returns, not throwing more money at turbo tax.

 

[zentraveler]

I already paid for turbo tax premier, and two state returns, not throwing more money at turbo tax.

You might want to give this problem (with NO-personal details) tried and failed solutions to Chat CPT. They have been very help for with all kinds of computer/iPhone issues. Free version works well; no need for the higher level Chat GPT. Really easy to set up and usel

 

[Rolltydr]

I already paid for turbo tax premier, and two state returns, not throwing more money at turbo tax.

Just trying to help solve one of your problems. It seems to me you have two, one immediate problem with a deadline (filing taxes), and another with no deadline (recovering lost data, photos, files, etc.) You can easily fix the first problem now using your iPad and Turbotax Online. I would consider it a workaround, not “throwing money at Turbotax”. Then, you can do whatever you need to do to try and get your laptop into a mode that works for you, whether that is changing the configuration, an OS update, or whatever, that will allow you to find where your missing data is and how ro recover it.

 

[rapmarks]

Just trying to help solve one of your problems. It seems to me you have two, one immediate problem with a deadline (filing taxes), and another with no deadline (recovering lost data, photos, files, etc.) You can easily fix the first problem now using your iPad and Turbotax Online. I would consider it a workaround, not “throwing money at Turbotax”. Then, you can do whatever you need to do to try and get your laptop into a mode that works for you, whether that is changing the configuration, an OS update, or whatever, that will allow you to find where your missing data is and how ro recover it.

I already did the return yesterday afternoon. After I got rid of S mode, I downloaded turbo tax. I find it difficult to do turbo tax on my iPad.

While many of you really know your way around computers, I don’t.
I have learned a lot on Tug, and I appreciate it. I never had to use a computer for work except for word processing. I have been retired 26 years! Think of all the changes since the 90s . And my arthritic hands don’t do well on iPhones and iPads.