Can't repair PC, can't re-install Win10, stuck with viruses.

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  1. Posts : 7
    Windows
       #1

    Can't repair PC, can't re-install Win10, stuck with viruses.


    I bought an iView cyber pc with Windows 8.1
    Windows upgrade to 10
    virus attack, mysterious bank charges, popups etc. Couldn't use PC.
    so I used the Windows 10 USB boot disk and select to repair the PC, tried deleting all files, tried leaving files. Neither option works it says there's an error restoring the PC.

    I tried fresh install (Microsoft didn't supply a product key so I used Magical Jellybean to obtain the product key for Win10)
    in the Windows 10 Install USB I enter the product key, it says it's invalid and doesn't match any products.

    tried to repair the virus issue with Malwarebytes but now PC won't load windows 10.

    so I'm not sure what to do, I can't repair, can't refresh install, can't clean install, can't use my PC as it is infected with viruses. I can't install windows 7 that I have because it won't boot since it's legacy bios OS and the PC is only UEFI.
    but also I've installed the Windows 7 on virtual machines before knowing the key can only be used so many times, so it won't let me anyways I'm sure. (even though it was only virtual machines running on my main Win7 pc)

    anyways. Any advice would be great, I don't know what to do! It would have been helpful if Windows made a backup post-install of Windows 10 but it didn't. or if Microsoft provided a key to the email address I registered for an upgrade to 10, but they didn't

    thanks in advance!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #2

    Hi,

    I used Magical Jellybean to obtain the product key for Win10)
    in the Windows 10 Install USB I enter the product key, it says it's invalid and doesn't match any products.
    That doesn't surprise me but assuming your W10 was activated you can use a generic key to activate such as this one: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
    Or a valid W7 or W8 key.

    You can also generate a file that allows Windows to activate by copying gatherosstate.exe from your mounted install media (it's in the "Sources" directory) to the desktop and run it as admin. It will generate a "GenuineTicket.xml file.

    Copy this file to a safe place (USB stick, whatever).

    After you finished your clean install follow these steps which I copied from a tutorial here on the forum:


    Step 5: Keep the newly-created XML file somewhere safe, preferably on a USB Flash drive.
    Step 6: Perform a fresh install of Windows 10, without upgrading. Also press Skip when you’re asked for the product key.
    Step 7: When Windows 10 is ready to be used, copy GenuineTicket.xml to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\ClipSVC\GenuineTicket.
    Note: The ProgramData folder is hidden by default, so press View, and choose to reveal Hidden Items.
    Step 8: Restart your computer so that changes take effect. When back to the desktop, press Win + Pause|Break to bring up System Info and check whether or not it got activated.

    Hope this helps,
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #3

    fdegrove said:
    VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
    That is for Windows 10 Pro.

    Windows 10 Home is
    YTMG3-N6DKC-DKB77-7M9GH-8HVX7

    Those keys are for the regular, full versions of Windows 10. If you had Single Language or N version, then you will need different keys.

    Do NOT use the Pro key if you did not have Windows 10 Pro installed before - you will end up with Windows 10 Pro not activated and you can't go back to home without a clean install.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,506
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #4

    As long as you cannot use Windows because it is infected, boot with Windows 10 DVD and delete all partitions. Then proceed to install Windows 10 in the unallocated space. When asked for a key just skip it (click Skip or Do it later). Select the same version as you had before (Home or Pro). When first online Windows 10 will activate automatically since your activation record is kept at Microsoft servers. No key required.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 0
    Dual Boot 10 Pro v1607 10 Pro rs2 build 14971
       #5

    That sounds like a real mess. First. If your windows 10 was activated there is no need for a key to reinstall it. This is from the tutorial forum. Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums . Try your USB stick again this time when you get to the place where you choose which partition to use delete them all one by one until you get something like this: DRIVE 0 Unallocated Space . click on the Next button and procede with the installation. When you are asked for a key just click on skip. If it was activated before it will activate automatically.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3,506
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #6

    JohnC said:
    That sounds like a real mess. First. If your windows 10 was activated there is no need for a key to reinstall it. This is from the tutorial forum. Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums . Try your USB stick again this time when you get to the place where you choose which partition to use delete them all one by one until you get something like this: DRIVE 0 Unallocated Space . click on the Next button and procede with the installation. When you are asked for a key just click on skip. If it was activated before it will activate automatically.
    When you click Skip or Do it later you may given the choice to select Home or Pro. Make sure you install the same version as you had before, or it won't activate. Then make all updates to update Windows Defender or install you own antivirus and update it. Scan all your media (USB Flash drive etc) for viruses before using them again. I know how it feels. I once had exactly the same problem back in Windows XP days and had to reinstall Windows. I remember the countless hours it took me to backup my files and reinstall all my applications again! I don't want to think about it. Next time you see a message, read it carefully before clicking next or OK! If in doubt always click Cancel or press ESC which is the same thing.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7
    Windows
    Thread Starter
       #7

    fdegrove said:
    Hi,



    That doesn't surprise me but assuming your W10 was activated you can use a generic key to activate such as this one: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
    Or a valid W7 or W8 key.

    You can also generate a file that allows Windows to activate by copying gatherosstate.exe from your mounted install media (it's in the "Sources" directory) to the desktop and run it as admin. It will generate a "GenuineTicket.xml file.

    Copy this file to a safe place (USB stick, whatever).

    After you finished your clean install follow these steps which I copied from a tutorial here on the forum:


    Step 5: Keep the newly-created XML file somewhere safe, preferably on a USB Flash drive.
    Step 6: Perform a fresh install of Windows 10, without upgrading. Also press Skip when you’re asked for the product key.
    Step 7: When Windows 10 is ready to be used, copy GenuineTicket.xml to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\ClipSVC\GenuineTicket.
    Note: The ProgramData folder is hidden by default, so press View, and choose to reveal Hidden Items.
    Step 8: Restart your computer so that changes take effect. When back to the desktop, press Win + Pause|Break to bring up System Info and check whether or not it got activated.

    Hope this helps,
    Thanks! I tried this but now it won't activate. It says it is windows 10 Pro and cannot activate, the key is blocked it says.
    at least I have a desktop without viruses now. I'll just re-install every time it expires I guess.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #8

    happyten said:
    Thanks! I tried this but now it won't activate. It says it is windows 10 Pro and cannot activate, the key is blocked it says.
    at least I have a desktop without viruses now. I'll just re-install every time it expires I guess.
    If you ever had Windows 10 activated on the machine, you should be able to do a clean install and activate it online on the same hardware. No key is supplied, or needed. (When doing a clean install, press the little "skip" button when asked for a key.) The information is kept on Microsoft's activation servers.

    If it won't activate, it's probably because you installed a different version of Win 10 than was activated before. If you know what that was (Home?), you should be able to install and activate it.

    Good luck.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 2,832
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #9

    Hi,

    I tried this but now it won't activate. It says it is windows 10 Pro and cannot activate, the key is blocked it says.
    Probably my mistake. I just assumed you were on the Pro version.

    Just redo the entire operation using the generic "Home" version key NavyLCDR provided and Windows should activate.

    If however you feel you're entitled to a "Pro" version then something's not quite right as it should activate using the .xml file assuming you followed the instructions to the letter.

    Best,
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #10

    Did you have Windows 10 Pro installed before or Windows 10 Home?
      My Computer


 

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