"Please wait" sign continuously showing and won't let me log in to my laptop

Hi,

If it continues like that you will have to hard shut it down.

See if this assists you with your Repair options.

You can use the power button to restart your computer three times. This will start the Windows Recovery Environment.

"How To Access Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 or 8.1"

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/a/open-advanced-startup-options-windows-8.htm

"How to Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 8 and 8.1"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4935-startup-options-menu-boot-windows-8-a.html

There is detailed information here too.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2843-automatic-repair-run-windows-8-a.html

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And please read this method:

"How to Boot to "System Recovery Options" in Windows 8 and 8.1"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2269-system-recovery-options-boot-windows-8-a.html

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If you need Media for Refresh and/or to reinstall, read this information.

Follow these HP steps to do a Recovery to Factory Settings (new condition).

http://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c03489643

Scroll down towards the lower part of the link for information on reset outside of Windows.

You can contact the Laptop/Computer Manufacturer and order Recovery Media from them for a small cost.

You can download and create your own Windows 8.1 Installation Media to reinstall the Operating System with..

"Create installation media for Windows 8.1"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

A similar Tutorial which may also assist you

"Create Installation Media for Windows 8.1"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/create-installation-media-windows-81

In the first screen of this very simple wizard, you need to choose the following:

Language. English – en-us if you're in the United States.

Edition. Windows 8.1 (Core), Windows 8.1 N, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro N, or Windows 8.1 Single Language.

Architecture. 64-bit (x64 ) or 32-bit (x86).

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"How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html

   Warning

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With Windows 8/8.1 The Product Key on preinstalled Operating Systems (HP, Acer, etc) is embedded in the BIOS in the Motherboard, so that the lost and/or worn C.O.A. Sticker problem is no more.

When you reinstall it will pick up the Product Key and activate the system automatically.

If it does not, follow these steps:

"How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24636-activate-windows-8-phone.html

"Get help with activation errors"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/activation-errors

"How to activate a Microsoft product by using Microsoft Product Activation Center"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

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This information may interest you if you do wish to keep a record of it:

"Windows 10 Embedded Product Key Tool"

https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/

"We’re proud to introduce the immediate release of our newest utility for Windows users: the NeoSmart Technologies Embedded Product Key Tool. Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, our embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image."

Cheers.

"Please Wait" comes up when the system IS trying to start in Advanced Startup mode anyway. This would indicate there has been 3 attempts to start which has failed and is now trying to start in what used to be called safe mode and cannot do that either.

You will need to create a recovery disk/key and try to boot from that in order to run repairs.

The are many reasons for "Please wait".

And there is still a Safe Mode in Windows 8.1.