HP Auction purchase and instant regret

Benjojemin · 14 Dec 2024 at 22:49

Hi Guys,

I recently bought an HP Z1 G8 Tower at an auction. All seemed fine ish and I could see the sign in panel. The PC has been wiped so no data for me to save. On getting home I realised I couldn’t open most of the options on the menu.

I think this computer has been infected by ransomware and then cynically sold by the company. Is there anyway to do a complete factory reset and would that work as new or have I bought a lemon?

Further to this is the PC ok to break and sell components or is the hardware also possibly compromised?

The product is still in warranty period.

Specs are below.

Many thanks

B

Operating system
Device comes with Windows 10 and a free Windows 11 upgrade or may be preloaded with Windows 11. Upgrade timing may vary by device. Features and app availability may vary by region. Certain features require specific hardware (see Windows 11 Specifications).
Operating system
Windows 10 Pro Device comes with Windows 10 and a free Windows 11 upgrade or may be preloaded with Windows 11. Upgrade timing may vary by device. Features and app availability may vary by region. Certain features require specific hardware (see Windows 11 Specifications).
Processor family
11th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor
Processor
Intel® Core™ i7-11700 (up to 4.9 GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology, 16 MB L3 cache, 8 cores, 16 threads)
Chipset
Intel® Q570
Form factor
Tower

andshrew · 14 Dec 2024 at 23:39

Just download the installation media for the version of Windows you want to use on it and do a clean install. You'll need a spare USB drive for it save the installer to.

Download Windows 10

or

Download Windows 11

darael · 15 Dec 2024 at 10:07

Remove any SSD or hard drives from the machine, wipe on another PC using a USB Linux distro (such as Parted Magic) with the drive in a USB enclosure. If you use the latter method, remove drives from the other PC before plugging in the infected drive.

OspreyO · 15 Dec 2024 at 12:24

Always wipe a used machine. Erase (not just format) the disks and reinstall Windows.

koolpc · 15 Dec 2024 at 12:32

OspreyO said:
Always wipe a used machine. Erase (for just format erase) the disks and reinstall Windows.

This....easy to do too.

Benjojemin · Tuesday at 10:28

Thanks very much for your help guys, I have removed the HD and completely erased everything and then reinstalled. The PC is definitely more usable than before and I have access to all the settings inside Win11pro. I still have an issue when trying to install new programs. I’m trying to install Unreal engine for my son and plan to give him the PC for Xmas.

I can download the installer but when I start running it stops about 75% of the way citing an error every time. Could it be possible there is a super admin on the system blocking installations?

OspreyO · Tuesday at 10:58

Unlikely.. What's the exact error message..

dlockers · Tuesday at 10:59

Benjojemin said:
Could it be possible there is a super admin on the system blocking installations?

No

Armageus · Tuesday at 11:01

Benjojemin said:
I think this computer has been infected by ransomware and then cynically sold by the company.

Did they sell you a tin foil hat as well? What made you leap to this assumption? (As opposed to it just being a standard I.T. Asset disposal sale)

Benjojemin said:
I can download the installer but when I start running it stops about 75% of the way citing an error every time. Could it be possible there is a super admin on the system blocking installations?

If you've wiped it, then you've wiped it - there can be no "super admin"