Gone forever?

I took very early advantage of the Win10 download and used the resultant iso file to convert my laptop and desktop from win7 to win10. At first things went well and I was very impressed with the new edition of Windows. After a period of about two months the laptop operation became very unstable and ceased to operate -then- my desktop did the same thing. I was too eager it seems and should have waited until the system proved itself. Unfortunately I am unable to revert to Win7, because the time period for reversion had been exceeded. So I am twixt and between - unable to go back or proceed forward.

It was essential to get up and running on at least one of the machines and so I converted this laptop to a Linux distro, which I am using at this moment.

I still have the original win10 iso file but when I re-run it I am asked for the win 10 product code number, which I don't have. I have contacted Microsoft to try and resolve the problem but the only solution offered is that I should buy a clean version of Win10 and start from scratch.

I am still able to get into the win10 opening screen and my opening pwd is accepted but I then go directly into an options page which lists various options to become operational. None of them succeeds in overcoming my problem, although there is an option to get into DOS which might be useful at some stage.

If anyone can offer any suggesions I would be most grateful!

If you have not made any hardware changes to the laptop or desktop then you should be able to skip the product number request and once W10 is installed it will activate automatically from information stored on the MS servers from when you originally installed W10 on your laptop and desktop.

frailtrev,
Don't use that original Windows iso file. It's for the old version.
Use a working computer and download the Media Creation Tool (MCT)
Use the link below :
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10

Download the Media Creation Tool and run it.
Select Create installation media for another PC > that will begin downloading the ISO file to the computer.
After iso is downloaded, burn it to a bootable media ( DVD or USB ).
Take the bootable media to the computer that needs to be fixed > set the boot order to CD/DVD or USB, depending on which media you will be using > insert the bootable media > Restart the computer > Clean Install will begin.
You will asked for a product key > select the SKIP option and continue.
After installation completed, activation should be automatic.

The link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/soft...load/windows10 didn't function, so I tried a new win10 iso download - that led to the following message:

You’ve been routed to this page because the operating system you’re using won’t support the Windows 10 media creation tool and we want to make sure that you can download Windows 10. To use the media creation tool, visit the Microsoft Software Download Windows 10 page from a Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 device.
You can use this page to download a disc image (ISO file) that can be used to install or reinstall Windows 10. The image can also be used to create installation media using a USB flash drive or DVD.

Since I am using the Linux OS for the time being it could pose more problems, or should I give it a go?

I did try this before with the original win10 iso and, as advised, skipped the product code request, but it failed to operate and went to the recuperative options page once again.

My link will work if you use a computer which runs Windows operating system.
If you use a computer running Linux, I can tell you what will come of it because I know next to nothing about Linux/Ubuntu.

P.S. Forget about you original Win 10 iso which is version 10240. You need the most recent one which is version 10586.

You should be able to download the ISO direct from here burn it to a DVD or a USB and install skipping when asked for a key

Tech Bench

frailtrev said:

You can use this page to download a disc image (ISO file) that can be used to install or reinstall Windows 10. The image can also be used to create installation media using a USB flash drive or DVD.

That's exactly what you should do if you want an ISO file. In fact, it is a good idea to avoid Media Creaton Tool and direct-download an ISO instead.

AndreyT said:

That's exactly what you should do if you want an ISO file. In fact, it is a good idea to avoid Media Creaton Tool and direct-download an ISO instead.

Just out of morbid curiosity, why do think that it's a good idea to avoid the MCT

Cliff said:

Just out of morbid curiosity, why do think that it's a good idea to avoid the MCT

MCT downloads an image based on install.eis file (as opposed to install.wim). In my experience, install.eis-based image is more problematic (if at all possible) to use with repair tools and sysprep tools. Last time I checked, even if one asks MCT to download an ISO file, that ISO is also based on install.eis.

Under the circumstances, it appears that the only way to obtain an install.wim-based image is to direct-download an ISO image (not through MCT).

I ran the iso and went to a setup screen - language, time, currency, keybd input. Then after clicking 'install now' a message appeared - 'if reinstalling choose 'I don't have a product key'. Your copy of Windows will be activated later. Select operating system from win10 Pro or Home edition. I selected the latter. Then I was asked the location where to install - from - Partition 1 -OEMBP 8gb 2.1 gb free OEM reserved -or- Partition 2 - 327Gb 212Gb free System. Do you think I should proceed on this basis?