Solved corporate login problem

I don't know if this is a problem due to Windows 11 but perhaps the community has seen this problem before. We bought a second hand Lenovo L420 to gift to a friend to help her start a sales job. This is the second time we purchased from this particular vendor and the first time was a very good experience. The first time we bought a used laptop from this vendor it was quite an old machine and yet it worked fine for a similar sales job purpose with the same company.

Using the friend's corporate credentials we can login to the corporate website from my wife's Lenovo laptop (Windows 11) and my wife's iPad, and my own HP laptop (Windows 11). This involves an OTP.

The used machine can't login. We've tried using Firefox, Chrome, and Edge. We reset Edge and it didn't work. We reinstalled Chrome and it didn't work. We reinstalled Edge and it didn't work. The browser shows a "something went wrong" dialog that is specific to the website. This is an international company and our current location is a country that has a long weekend so we can't call corporate IT support until Tuesday. Ideas that might help us login are welcome, please.

Addendum... I just found where Windows Settings knows about some other kinds of updates (non-Windows). They have names like "Intel WLAN", "Intel System", "Intel USB", "RealTek". I am installing those updates now. Eight of them.

Second addendum... After the first 8 drivers, I rebooted and it said there were 3 more drivers to be updated so I did those. After a reboot there were 2 more drivers to be updated so I did those. Then despite that the Windows Update (non-driver) status was "you're up to date", I clicked "check for updates" and to my surprise it found we needed some .NET Framework updates so I installed those. It still does not login.

I won't claim to have any special knowledge, but one question to consider: Did this used laptop come from the reseller with a pre-installed copy of Windows, or did someone re-image it from scratch? The OTP might be a red herring in that the browser might need some underlying security features which could be missing from the OS.

Having your friend's credentials work on two random PC's and an iPad rules out a server-side issue or browser dependency.

As it's a Lenovo, it probably has an OEM product key for Pro or Enterprise -- so wiping the PC shouldn't be a problem.

garlin said:

I won't claim to have any special knowledge, but one question to consider: Did this used laptop come from the reseller with a pre-installed copy of Windows, or did someone re-image it from scratch? The OTP might be a red herring in that the browser might need some underlying security features which could be missing from the OS.

Having your friend's credentials work on two random PC's and an iPad rules out a server-side issue or browser dependency.

As it's a Lenovo, it probably has an OEM product key for Pro or Enterprise -- so wiping the PC shouldn't be a problem.

Click to expand...

I'm considering a Windows reinstallation. Just checking with the used computer vendor to see if we should do a local reinstall or a cloud reinstall. The dialog says cloud might need more than 4GB and this is exactly a 4GB machine. Regardless of the choice, I want the vendor to guide this process just in case we need an activation key on the other side of this process.

H2ONaCl said:

this is exactly a 4GB machine

Click to expand...

Specifications

• Processor. Intel Core i5-2520M 2 x 2.5 - 3.2 GHz, Sandy Bridge.
• Intel HD Graphics 3000, Core: 650 MHz, Memory: 665 MHz, 8.15.10.2321.
• 4 GB. , Samsung, DDR3-10600, 1333 MHz, max. ...
• Display. 14.00 inch 16:9, 1366 x 768 pixel, N140BGE-L11, LED backlight, glossy: no.
• Mainboard. Intel HM65.

That laptop is 12 years old. That install of windows is on incompatible hardware.
Even if it wasn't, it will struggle to run 11 with only 4 gb ram.

glasskuter said:

Specifications

• Processor. Intel Core i5-2520M 2 x 2.5 - 3.2 GHz, Sandy Bridge.
• Intel HD Graphics 3000, Core: 650 MHz, Memory: 665 MHz, 8.15.10.2321.
• 4 GB. , Samsung, DDR3-10600, 1333 MHz, max. ...
• Display. 14.00 inch 16:9, 1366 x 768 pixel, N140BGE-L11, LED backlight, glossy: no.
• Mainboard. Intel HM65.

That laptop is 12 years old. That install of windows is on incompatible hardware.
Even if it wasn't, it will struggle to run 11 with only 4 gb ram.

Click to expand...

If it installed Windows 11 doesn't that mean that the specs are adequate?
I am concerned about how I can prove to the vendor that it is incompatible.

I noticed that Windows 11 requires a TPM security feature. I used Windows-R to run tpm.msc which activated the TPM. I also looked at the Setup ("BIOS") values to make sure it was active. I also cleared any old security keys. Still can't login.

I installed and ran PC Health Check and I was able to confirm this is not compatible with Windows 11 so I will be asking the vendor for a refund or replacement unit. Thanks to all for their help.

Believe me, the vender knew it when he sold it to you as he had to do workarounds to get 11 to install on it in the first place. For you to clean-install Windows, you will have to apply the same workarounds.You can easily find instructions on the web.

But to answer your question, the i5-2520m is a second generation core processor. MS CPU compatibility list shows 8th generation core processor and newer (except for 3 7th gen i7) Windows processor requirements Windows 11 supported Intel processors

Many people run on incompatible hardware. As long as it is activated using a valid Windows license, it's not illegal so you won't have a leg to stand on in your argument with the vender. Sellers force 11 on incompatible machines but leave it up to the buyer to do their own diligent research before the sale and know what he is getting. Already people using these installations are seeing repercussions with difficulties applying non-security windows updates. No one knows for sure what decisions MS will make regarding them going forward.

My biggest concern for your friend is the ram. Just because 4gb of ram is the absolute minimum that 11 can be installed on does not mean one can expect any level of performance from it. IMO one should strongly consider using a such poorly equipped computer in a corporate environment where one's livelihood depends on it.
There are plenty of later model used devices out there right now that are 100% Windows 11 compatible,equipped with good specs, and for a reasonable price. I've bought several lately myself but it does require some time and research.

As far as the issues you are having currently, have you checked device manager for any missing drivers? Finding compatible hardware drivers is another issue in these older machines. The vendor may have left some uninstalled.

Good luck.