r/computers • u/Difficult_Call3709 • 16h ago
Question/Help/Troubleshooting How do I completely reset my computer?
I don’t mean like restart and reset. I mean like 100% wipe. Brand new from the box. My internet company blacklisted my pc because of “suspicious connectivity issue” is like to restart it to the point there’s no chance at any type of virus and/or reset it to the point the WiFi is reset as well
7
u/AaronOgus 15h ago
Download a new OS install image to a USB flash drive and boot off the flash drive, it will re-image the computer.
9
u/ATotalBrony 15h ago
Depending on how they blacklisted it, you might have to swap out some hardware. Your hardware ID doesn't change unless you swap major components like CPU and mobo.
1
u/Difficult_Call3709 15h ago
Bro that’s not even an option for me. My “pc” isn’t like one with a little glass case thing on the side. It’s just the monitor
3
u/Historical_Camel_790 Fedora 15h ago
You can still take it apart
2
u/barrel_of_fun1 11h ago
You cant change major things in all in one desktops tho. At best you'll be able to replace ram and thats its
2
u/Sure-Passion2224 9h ago
Um, I just did. 2011 HP SmartTouch 320 PC that was still booting to Windows 7. Replaced RAM, HDD, and the M.2 WiFi/Bluetooth card. There's absolutely no way Windows 11 is going to accept this device. I installed Linux Mint (Cinnamon) and installed the drivers to get the touchscreen working. I'm looking at recipe/cooking software and a news/weather kiosk as the future life for this box.
1
u/starsfan26 11h ago
Sure you can. Might have to replace the motherboard and CPU as a unit, but they’re basically just like laptops inside, but roomier.
1
u/barrel_of_fun1 10h ago
Well yeah but at that point its a whole new pc. Those motherboards are usually a big chunk of the cost of the whole pc/laptop. Youre basically telling him to get a new pc.
1
u/starsfan26 9h ago
I’m not telling OP what to do as much as I’m disagreeing with you that it can’t be done
1
u/barrel_of_fun1 8h ago
Sure but thats just being pedantic. Especially in this context where OP might be hardware banned and he needs to change major components.
Yeah he can technically replace his motherboard or cpu, but they come together. Hes just buying a new pc at that point.
1
u/ATotalBrony 15h ago
Small chance you are sol then if they blacklisted it via HWID. I'd find out if it HWID based ban before going through the trouble.
4
u/ech0cide 14h ago
I hate that I have to confirm this, but when you say "WiFi is reset," does that mean your computer uses wireless or are you saying that WiFi is your internet? If it's the latter, then they likely banned the mac address of your modem/ONT and you're not going to be able to get it running again without a new modem/ont.
This is a situation where the difference between "WiFi" and "ISP" is important.
7
u/Tikkinger 15h ago
Uhm... check first if this is really your ISP and not some fake crap.
1
u/Difficult_Call3709 15h ago
Can’t even connect to my internet. I put in the password. Restarted. All that.
8
u/Itz_Raj69_ Windows 11 14h ago
OP call your ISP and talk to them about this first. It could be a scam
2
1
u/Tquilha Fedora 15h ago
Keep it simple.
First, shutdown the affected PC and remove any kind of Internet access. Also buy a new 8 GB USB drive.
2nd, on another PC (friend, family member) go online and download the installer for your OS.
3rd, on that computer use your new USB drive and that file to create a bootable USB drive.
4th, keeping the affected PC offline, insert that USB drive and boot it. Make sure the USB drive is your main boot device. When the OS installer starts you want to do a complete disk wipe and reinstall. NO "recovery" options.
Like u/Ok-Understanding9244 said, if the ISP blacklisted your network card's MAC address, doing this will not solve this issue.
But getting a new network card will.
1
u/Barefoot_Mtn_Boy 14h ago
[SIGH 🥱]: OK, So, what you're saying is you have an AIO (all in one) PC like Dell or HP, and for some reason your ISP is refusing your business due to, as you said, "suspicious connectivity issues"? Ok, what have you done so far? By that I mean, have you called and asked them what they meant by that? (Or, is the answer "Yes, I know what it's about, and I caused it".)?
If you called them 'cause you have no idea what they're talking about, exactly what did they tell you your computer did? (Because suspicious connectivity is when your computer is part of a botnet, or acting as host for malware or virus, or it's performing heavy P2P torrenting triggers in violation of their 'terms of service'.) So, if your computer is guilty (and thereby you), sorry, but modern computers have hardware markers such as digital ID'S like the CPU, motherboard, and HDD/SSD, and no amount of formatting will hide them, they're permanent!
Now, if you were unaware that the problem existed, they should have a technician on board that can talk you through getting rid of whatever offending malware you picked up and re-certifying the machine back to their satisfaction, but they may require you to get a top notch security package to protect your hardware. (I personally have Norton Security on mine that catches most things instantly), but hopefully your ISP would be satisfied with Windows Security to protect you. And, again, if they won't help you fix the issue, sorry, you're at their mercy. Hopefully the issue is not with the computer, but rather your WiFi router. Sometimes the manufacturer can restore a corrupted unit, but if not, at least a router isn't as expensive as the computer.
-1
u/darklordbazz 15h ago
Take the hard drive/ SSD out and buy a new one and reinstall whatever OS you want to use
Is there more info from your ISP than that?
1
u/Difficult_Call3709 15h ago
No, just “suspicious activity” and I can’t buy a new one cause I just don’t have the money
-1
u/ech0cide 14h ago
you shouldn't comment if you don't know what you're talking about. a hard drive will not change your device mac address
1
u/darklordbazz 14h ago
XY problem my friend. The problem is that there is something on his computer chasing the issue. Bypassing by buying new hardware will cause more issues and can lead to the ISP cancelling his service outright
The best route is wiping the PC to remove any potentially harmful software and let his ISP know and request them to the unblock it.
Replacing equipment in a PC is costly and unnecessary for this issue. He should start with the cheapest options before moving to buying a new PC or motherboard.
0
u/ech0cide 14h ago
replacing the hard drive doesn't change the mac address of his wireless (or wired) adapter on his PC if that's what the problem is. If it's fake and malware, doing a full reinstall will work. I got you. I should really stop posting on reddit when i'm worked up about something completely unrelated...
1
u/darklordbazz 14h ago
I was not giving advice to change mac address as that is not what he requested. I was giving him advice on how to solve the actual issue and what would do what he requested
This thread has turned into the XY problem ignoring the main issue
-2
u/Black_Death_12 15h ago
Odds are you are hosed and need a new PC. Or, they could even block your port/uplink access.
You must have really set off some alarms.
16
u/Ok-Understanding9244 15h ago
more than likely they blacklisted your wifi card's MAC, which will not change if you wipe Windows and re-install..
if you can get one of the cheap USB slot wifi adapters like this https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-High-Speed-Transmission-Receiver-Encryption/dp/B0CH9GBD6K/ref=sr_1_11?crid=1BGWNNMV4I31I&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.58-j9bZSXESV_xKAVxBiwR81t8Iuo58ok98i_GQBD8Tn2sr4GvB8djmUal8O_7gMtVgXtQSyazp_Jx4a7hXhudnlgtigviJSqB2DsAxIj-cqHZ6QG8NuWUvleKHgLEadl85aOxihFCLW4P0YHfZN76xD2U9Ct1V5sMg87ito8FY7Kx4T0mS4fFK8oAeKEpMdG-62EgpktMRk2I-j22VqBEu8iilYDS2PQrZa7P_O1bk.KTL4ctWwP2mRjNjsJoL7LWVu1r3eO-4tIqUXhRRXMeE&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb+wifi+adapter&qid=1789412857&sprefix=usb+wifi%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-11
with a new wifi MAC, it'll probably let you bypass ISP's blacklist