Windows 10 It comes to this

SilentSeeker · Aug 12, 2021

I was recently contacted by Outlook and told to reset my mail account because of possible security breaches and that it would be shut down for 30 days. I had tried telling them that many times before but no one listens. I was going to send them what follows but since I cant log in and corporate seeming refuses to lower themselves to speak to a regular consumer here it is.

To whom it may concern:
I have had issues with my system for several months now and during this time I have contacted support around 2 dozen times and corporate office. Only 2 of my contacts with support ever made any progress and I was hacked immediately after my last calls to support and corporate so I stopped trying until I moved and changed everything connected with my system. In those several months of trying to fix my system no one could tell me why this was occuring. My system was erratic and even locked me out and claimed to be wiped at one point in May which meant I had to buy a replacement. I was wanting to upgrade to Pro but bought another Home Edition just in case my troubles were not over. Office depot did not have physical copies which meant I got the crappy digital license of course. 6 hours after getting home it updated and restored the original faulty set up I had been dealing with since the latter part of 2020. This was not what my computer came with though. I bought it new at Wal Mart in May of 2020. Somewhere around November of 2020 I began noticing small things that seemed different but I was busy and could not devote a lot of time to it. By the time I did start looking into it things were to far gone. The changes had left gaping holes which allowed others to observe my family and manipulate the computer in front of me while I talked to them asking what the point of this was.

I got everything going 2 weeks ago and copied a friends version so I would not have to pay anymore than I already had to get it going. I then joined Insiders to get a peek at 11 and hoping that it would help keep unethical individuals away. My system kept changing anyway. After 26 years of Windows I finally embraced Ubuntu and even though it forces me to learn new skills to use it these are less work than I was dealing with. Hell I learned more about the internals of Windows from April until June than I ever wanted to.

Everything comes down to this point: I finally can confirm what damaged my system. It was a boot code update Microsoft did late last year. It states plainly what occured and the attempts to mitigate it. This mitigation involves making my system appear unable to run Windows 10 without assistance. This is total BS. I am not interested in causing trouble.I am not seeking monetary compensation for time and materials. All I want is to be able to run Windows 10 0r 11 (preferably Professional Edition) without some peice of code claiming my computer is tied to some unknown corporate server and overriding my Administrative Privileges.

I tend to think I have gotten the runaround because of proprietary software (supposedly) in the machine. This mostly centers around something to do with Realtek wifi and ethernet components. It is the first time I have seen a bluetooth ethernet not to mention one with excessive broadcast capability. I have watched this this machine literally absorb and take command of routers without anyone touching it. Now there may have been somwone remote but I am not sure.

If anyone wants (or is allowed) to assist me in contacting who I need to in order to fix this I would appreciate it. If not then I guess I will be an open source user for the remainder of my time.
Thank You
Charles Jones

bochane · Aug 16, 2021

Let's see where we are and what I (mis)understood:
- You did run 4 bitcoin services, miners make extensive use of the computing power of graphic cards, so either your miner or some intruder is using that card
- Your servers are blocked from sending data
- Your bootmanager is corrupt, from the November 2020 update?
- You did run Bitlocker on that machine
- It behaves like Spectre virus has taken over

What else can be done than trying a new and clean install, avoiding all previous obstacles, hence using a new MS account, and clean installation media.
I did not read that you got new media, only a new license.
One option would be:
- create from a different PC a new MS account;
- if you don't have a clean and bootable USB stick with Windows...

SilentSeeker · Aug 15, 2021

bochane said:
Btw which processor is it?

This is also going far behind my knowledge.
And you're welcome.

product: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-1005G1 CPU @ 1.20GHz
vendor: Intel Corp.
bus info: cpu@0
version: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-1005G1 CPU @ 1.20GHz
serial: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
slot: U3E1
size: 2255MHz
capacity: 4005MHz
width: 64 bits
clock: 100MHz

Neemobeer · Aug 15, 2021

Spectre is a class of vulnerablies that rely on a CPU feature called speculative execution and not malware itself. Attacks relying on these vulnerabilities have not been seen in the wild as of yet and you would not likely be able to detect them even if someone exploited these flaws. There are some mitigations for some types of spectre class CVEs but it's a tricky class of bugs to patch and probably won't be fully fixed for quite some time.

SilentSeeker · Aug 16, 2021

Neemobeer said:
Spectre is a class of vulnerablies that rely on a CPU feature called speculative execution and not malware itself. Attacks relying on these vulnerabilities have not been seen in the wild as of yet and you would not likely be able to detect them even if someone exploited these flaws. There are some mitigations for some types of spectre class CVEs but it's a tricky class of bugs to patch and probably won't be fully fixed for quite some time.

Thank you for informing me. From what I posted on the capabilities of the cpu is it possible to tell if mine has that feature? My son built his own gaming system and his opinion is to throw it in the trash and get another one but I dislike giving up on something. As far as someone exploiting the vulnerabilities I know something has been exploited whether its those specific ones or not.

Before we moved I had problems with bluetooth continually activating (which was likely the neighbor kid trying not to burn up his mobile time and hacking our router) and somehow we ended up not paying for service for over a year. When we finally saw that Spectrum had not been withdrawing money we called them and they said we requested our service discontinued in June 2020 and they claim to have picked up our equipment. If Microsoft did not screw up with an update then someone wants me to think that. I know I pissed some people off on twitter and 4-chan because I tend to not afraid to speak my mind about numerous controversial issues so I no doubt brought this on and I am sure they feel justified as the marble rolls from side to side. (If you could not tell from my other posts I hope they read this) The only thing that makes me suspect bitminers is my downgraded graphics and the fact that I have 4 bitcoin services being blocked from sending data on a newly installed system.

I know you are not a therapist or magic 8 ball so I hope you will look over my rambling. Maybe I just like to hear myself speak but I just like to get it off my chest whether anyones paying attention or not. Thanks again and if we ever meet any of you all I will gladly spring for a 6 pack.

bochane · Aug 16, 2021

Let's see where we are and what I (mis)understood:
- You did run 4 bitcoin services, miners make extensive use of the computing power of graphic cards, so either your miner or some intruder is using that card
- Your servers are blocked from sending data
- Your bootmanager is corrupt, from the November 2020 update?
- You did run Bitlocker on that machine
- It behaves like Spectre virus has taken over

What else can be done than trying a new and clean install, avoiding all previous obstacles, hence using a new MS account, and clean installation media.
I did not read that you got new media, only a new license.
One option would be:
- create from a different PC a new MS account;
- if you don't have a clean and bootable USB stick with Windows installation media, create one on a different and clean PC (ask your son?), see here for instructions;
- Back to your crippled PC, you have to push, during power up, a specific key several times, or keep it pushed down, look in the manual page, it is often F2, to get into BIOS, find Bootoptions, and select your USB stick.
Or is this a 'bridge to far'?

Neemobeer · Aug 16, 2021

Pretty much every CPU uses speculative execution and most certainly all Intel CPUs do. Can an update screw up a system sure, but it's not that common. An incompatibility or degraded hardware is more likely but still somewhat uncommon.

SilentSeeker · Aug 17, 2021

bochane said:
Let's see where we are and what I (mis)understood:
- You did run 4 bitcoin services, miners make extensive use of the computing power of graphic cards, so either your miner or some intruder is using that card
- Your servers are blocked from sending data
- Your bootmanager is corrupt, from the November 2020 update?
- You did run Bitlocker on that machine
- It behaves like Spectre virus has taken over

What else can be done than trying a new and clean install, avoiding all previous obstacles, hence using a new MS account, and clean installation media.
I did not read that you got new media, only a new license.
One option would be:
- create from a different PC a new MS account;
- if you don't have a clean and bootable USB stick with Windows installation media, create one on a different and clean PC (ask your son?), see here for instructions;
- Back to your crippled PC, you have to push, during power up, a specific key several times, or keep it pushed down, look in the manual page, it is often F2, to get into BIOS, find Bootoptions, and select your USB stick.
Or is this a 'bridge to far'?

Hi. I never ran or used any kind of bit coin anything myself. The bitcoin services being blocked by my firewall are not mine so I do not want them sending anything.I would love to know how they have remained on my system considering the extent and multitude of means I have attempted. Correct on the November 2020 update (or clever programming) . The Windows bootmgr along with the other things I mentioned were reported to be corrupt by the log files. I do believe it is possible that someone hacked my system and did all of this just to downgrade my system, allow them control and prevent me from making changes. Can I prove that? Not me personally but I did make copies of the entire drive on USB sticks when this got serious back in April so I have discussed handing it over to some IT and Govt people I know through church and rarely seen family. I just have not decided that its that important for them to invest time in yet.
I did not personally run bitlocker. That is just what the logs report. The only thing I did to this machine in May 2020 when I bought it was take it out of safe mode because it sucked. I had a limited amount of time to decide and opted out. It reminded me of what Norton tried back around 2000. They wanted complete access and control and I am not comfortable with that. After that I did a half ass set up (I had never had major issues before) and joined social media for the first time in my life. Even though I was respectful (except for the zinger thrown in on debates with very rude people just to see if they would notice) I know I pissed some of the more insecure or less stable ones off. Hence my current drama.
I am not positive about Spectre. That appeared on a diagnostic I ran. It had 3 variants listed and said I was affected by 2. The question is what did it mean by affected? Vulnerable or Infected? It did not list anything in regards to the Store variant.
I did get new media twice but after I got to try Windows 11 I started making my own so I could put to use all of those other programs I had to install just to try 11. I will likely never have another MS account or Windows product. The same goes for HP after this system. It seems the days of finding someone who actually cares about their product and its reputation are gone. Out of the 2 dozen or more service calls to MS only two people actually tried and 1 gentleman at corporate but after contact with these people my system would go haywire and this finally culminated in both it and a back up unit refusing to connect to internet even with a direct ethernet link.

I have read every trick to get into Bios and I could access it before all of this. For a while I even considered it was my password choice of Unkn0wn that messed it up but have been assured it was not. I asked HP to help 10 days before my warranty expired and never received anything useful. When I called back 2 weeks later they were willing to help for a new subscription of whatever .95. MS strikes me the same way. That is disappointing after using Windows for 20+ years.

SilentSeeker · Aug 17, 2021

Neemobeer said:
Pretty much every CPU uses speculative execution and most certainly all Intel CPUs do. Can an update screw up a system sure, but it's not that common. An incompatibility or degraded hardware is more likely but still somewhat uncommon.

Thanks. I guess it really does not matter if the update did it or not. Its not like I can get them to reimburse me but I did think they would at least be interested in helping me solve the problem or determine that its was not the problem. I had heard they were upset with the HP partners in China for hardware and software issues regarding these computers and had taken steps to mitigate the issues but i only read that once so who nows if its correct. Have a good day everyone. Thanks to all for trying.

bochane · Aug 17, 2021

We can help you with technical questions, trying to sorting out the maze you got in.
But your main frustration seems to be your contacts with support providers. We can't help with that, but we can listen.
It is difficult to read through these frustrations and select the technical details of your computer. From here it looks like it badly needs a reinstall, can't you do it yourself, bring it to a repair shop.
I will have to think this over.

SilentSeeker · Aug 17, 2021

bochane said:
We can help you with technical questions, trying to sorting out the maze you got in.
But your main frustration seems to be your contacts with service providers. We can't help with that, but we can listen.
It is difficult to read through these frustrations and select the technical details of your computer. From here it looks like it needs a reinstall, can't you do it yourself, bring it to a repair shop.
I will have to think this over.

Hi. My bad about voicing my frustrations. I do not get out much. Please dont think I expect anyone to do anything about those service issues. I am either relieving pressure or relating the story when I do that. I will try to pay more attention and not rehash them again but if I do please overlook it. I have done many re-installs they just never worked until I got rid of Windows. The logs would always show where the incoming setup was either fooled or delayed and I could index the entire drive and find where programs or something had actually given command to other components to do just that. I guess that brings me to another reason that makes me think it was a hack. During that time I had found several pages that referred to arch installs and I had never used a linux style product on this system until last week. Maybe its normal to find that or to find logging info where the computer uses odd phrases or seems pissed that another component was discovered to be tampered with. My favorites were: DISM queried and failed to give commanded response to incoming setup!!! Correctly identified itself and other components as corrupt!! Destroy all past logs and begin fallback procedure!!!. and the best one: That was unexpected!!! Attempted to log-in by impersonating built in account only to find account logged in and aware of the attempt. Now I dont know if they were programmed like this or if this was people but I would like to know if it is normal. I doubt it is.

Also I need to make clear at this point that currently my system is OK for the most part. I have slowly nibbled away at whatever it is but I could not do that until installing linux. Even then it took a couple of do overs. Ubuntu still reads the "corrupted files" but manages to recognize inconsistencies and ignores them.

Windows 10 It comes to this

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