getting Windows 10 after a crash.

My computer was hacked so I may have to wipe out my hard drive . My data files are safely backed up on carbonite but software is another matter . I have to questions:
1. The malaware lets me do very little but would I be able to try something like Safe Mode to get into the computer and restore to an earlier restore point - if so, instructions please
2. Alternatively, if I wiped out the harddrive how would I get windows 10 back. My original version of Windows was Windows 8 but that came as part of my facrory settings which I upgraded first to Windows 8.1 when it became available and later to Windows 10, i.e. I have no installation disk for any windows.

Maybe a third alternative is something the community could suggest.

I am writing from a chromebook which still is operational.

The hacked computer is a Lenovo G850, model number 20150.

Look forward to some help but, in any event, best wishes for 2018

The issue is peace of mind.
Since you upgraded from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 you have a digital license.
This should allow you to format the drive or sanitize the drive and then install the operating system using a Windows 10 iso:
Download Windows 10
So if you can wipe the drive and perform a clean install of Windows 10 version 1709:
Clean Install Windows 10 Installation Upgrade Tutorials

If Windows works, you may try:
shift+Restart --> Troubleshoot / Reset PC or Advanced options / System Restore

Happy New Year :)

Good advice from Dalchina, as always. My C is an SSD and holds only the OS and my programs, with personal files like Documents, Pictures being on the internal spinning HD (also backed up regularly by another method). I use Macrium Reflect Free to make, automatically in the background, an image of my C drive every day, giving one week's supply of backups (and more to the point, a very recent backup is always available). It takes less than 15 minutes each time with no effect on the speed of the comp while it is running. I have also made and rehearsed a Macrium rescue DVD (they call it "Bootable Rescue Media") (see attached clip).

To recover from any software failure (hardware failure is another situation) I have rehearsed the Macrium Rescue Media. When run (specifying it as the boot disc) it installs a cut down version of Windows, then runs that to open your folder containing your Macrium image backups (which of course are on an external backup disc). You choose the latest image and within about 10 minutes of the failure you are up and running where you were, up to 24 hours ago.

Using a method like the above (its all free), there is no reason for anyone to be significantly inconvenienced by the failure of the operating system or of any programs. I strongly recommend it. I sleep well.

(BTW, my internal HD with my personal files, is backed up using FreeFileSync, also strongly recommended.)

casale said:

My computer was hacked so I may have to wipe out my hard drive . My data files are safely backed up on carbonite but software is another matter . I have to questions:
1. The malaware lets me do very little but would I be able to try something like Safe Mode to get into the computer and restore to an earlier restore point - if so, instructions please
2. Alternatively, if I wiped out the harddrive how would I get windows 10 back. My original version of Windows was Windows 8 but that came as part of my facrory settings which I upgraded first to Windows 8.1 when it became available and later to Windows 10, i.e. I have no installation disk for any windows.

Maybe a third alternative is something the community could suggest.

I am writing from a chromebook which still is operational.

The hacked computer is a Lenovo G850, model number 20150.

Look forward to some help but, in any event, best wishes for 2018

Here's a link to the Lenovo Support Forum, it shows you how to get into Safe Mode on the Lenovo. Hope it helps.
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht116905

To the several people who responded to my request, thanks very very much. In the end you got me back to normal. I apologize for the delay in responding but your advice took some time to implement and in the meantime, my computer was inoperable.

Again, many thanks.
Frank Casale