My computer is locked out

[Humble Cactus]

Hello Linus Forum. 

 

I am a subscriber to NETCO internet. When I signed up the ISP's technician installed software on my personal computer so I could connect to the internet. I'm currently in a contract with them for 24 months of service but I've had very bad service and recently switched providers. NETCO claims I owe for multiple months of service since I am under contract but I have been refusing to pay. 

 

This weekend they stuck back at me by disabling my computer with whatever software they installed when I first signed up. My Windows account now has a password it never had before with the message on screen 'Contact NETCO customer service for information on logging into this system'

 

I understand I signed a contract but I can't imagine I agreed to anything like this and even if I did I need my computer! How do I regain control of my computer now that they have locked me out?

[Enderman]

Clean install windows?

It will wipe everything too.

[Humble Cactus]

Just now, Enderman said:

Clean install windows?

It will wipe everything too.

I need my documents and emails and photos and everything. I don't have anything online my emails are in outlook and my photos are in my photos everything I have digital is on this computer

[Daniel Z.]

5 minutes ago, Humble Cactus said:

Hello Linus Forum. 

 

I am a subscriber to NETCO internet. When I signed up the ISP's technician installed software on my personal computer so I could connect to the internet. I'm currently in a contract with them for 24 months of service but I've had very bad service and recently switched providers. NETCO claims I owe for multiple months of service since I am under contract but I have been refusing to pay. 

 

This weekend they stuck back at me by disabling my computer with whatever software they installed when I first signed up. My Windows account now has a password it never had before with the message on screen 'Contact NETCO customer service for information on logging into this system'

 

I understand I signed a contract but I can't imagine I agreed to anything like this and even if I did I need my computer! How do I regain control of my computer now that they have locked me out?

holy crap thats a thing??

[Daniel Z.]

just pay and stop using their wifi

[Humble Cactus]

Just now, Daniel Z. said:

just pay and stop using their wifi

They want 3 months of service plus late fees and I'd have to pay each month until April of 2018 

[Humble Cactus]

1 minute ago, Daniel Z. said:

just pay and stop using their wifi

Also that would mean the terrorists win

[Humble Cactus]

I need a way to get back in. Even if it means a one time thing, get all my files and throw away the PC I can justify buying a new pc but not paying the ISP!

[Enderman]

3 minutes ago, Humble Cactus said:

I need my documents and emails and photos and everything. I don't have anything online my emails are in outlook and my photos are in my photos everything I have digital is on this computer

You can try removing the hard drive and plugging it into another computer like a storage drive, unless they've encrypted it you should be able to copy your files off of it using windows explorer.

 

1 minute ago, Humble Cactus said:

Also that would mean the terrorists win

LOL

[astrosheen]

1 minute ago, Humble Cactus said:

Also that would mean the terrorists win

This whole thing seems shady as hell. Could you provide a link to their webpage?

[You_are_a_cunt]

Get your hands on:

a usb pendrive

an external hdd or a spare hdd

a friend's laptop or computer

a lawyer

 

Download and create a live Ubuntu pendrive.

Take the pendrive, boot into a live session of Ubuntu then copy your files to the external hdd (or a second hdd that you can remove from the PC).

Format your boot drive or partition

Reinstall Windows

Fuck the ISP that installed the software by taking them to court for unauthorized takeover of your personal property.

[Humble Cactus]

Just now, Enderman said:

You can try removing the hard drive and plugging it into another computer like a storage drive, unless they've encrypted it you should be able to copy your files off of it using windows explorer.

 

LOL

That is a fair bit above my understanding. You are saying I can take the brain out basically and transplant, but won't the new computer say the same thing? 

[Humble Cactus]

Just now, revsilverspine said:

Get your hands on:

a usb pendrive

an external hdd or a spare hdd

a friend's laptop or computer

a lawyer

 

Download and create a live Ubuntu pendrive.

Take the pendrive, boot into a live session of Ubuntu then copy your files to the external hdd (or a second hdd that you can remove from the PC).

Format your boot drive or partition

Reinstall Windows

Fuck the ISP that installed the software by taking them to court for unauthorized takeover of your personal property.

Other than the laywer thing that is way beyond what I can do with a computer. Maybe one of my friends' kids could do that but not me.

[ArduinoBen]

After fixing it, sue them and get you and your buddies to DDOS their website as payback.

[Enderman]

Just now, Humble Cactus said:

That is a fair bit above my understanding. You are saying I can take the brain out basically and transplant, but won't the new computer say the same thing? 

No because you would boot into the OS of the normal computer, so this drive would be like a USB, just storage, and you can pull files off of it.

 

[Blebekblebek]

idk, man

 

the solution is easy, format, reinstall. done in minutes.

 

but your problem is not the computer, it's the contract.

if you go to court you will lose anyway.

 

I mean, 24months.... why would you sign that contract.

 

[You_are_a_cunt]

Just now, Humble Cactus said:

Other than the laywer thing that is way beyond what I can do with a computer. Maybe one of my friends' kids could do that but not me.

It's easy. Most of the process takes little to no user interaction.

If needed I am sure we can guide you through the entire process. Should take less than a couple hours (depending on download speed for the Ubuntu iso and the amount of data that needs to be recovered)

[You_are_a_cunt]

Just now, Blebekblebek said:

idk, man

 

the solution is easy, format, reinstall. done in minutes.

 

but your problem is not the computer, it's the contract.

if you go to court you will lose anyway.

 

I mean, 24months.... why would you sign that contract.

 

actually, no. It's an instant win.

The contract has a clause for early closure. If it doesn't it's still a win by lack of clause.

Adding the unauthorized lockdown of the PC, there isn't a judge in the world that would rule in favor of the ISP

[Humble Cactus]

I never thought this many people would chime in to help me I really appreciate it.

[Blebekblebek]

Just now, revsilverspine said:

actually, no. It's an instant win.

The contract has a clause for early closure. If it doesn't it's still a win by lack of clause.

Adding the unauthorized lockdown of the PC, there isn't a judge in the world that would rule in favor of the ISP

not if the software was included in the contract, which obviously OP never read.

there so many loopholes and unclear situation in this case.

 

[You_are_a_cunt]

Just now, Blebekblebek said:

not if the software was included in the contract, which obviously OP never read.

there so many loopholes and unclear situation in this case.

 

I've worked for a shady ISP in my youth and the level of shadyness from OP's ISP is unfathomable.

[Humble Cactus]

4 minutes ago, revsilverspine said:

It's easy. Most of the process takes little to no user interaction.

If needed I am sure we can guide you through the entire process. Should take less than a couple hours (depending on download speed for the Ubuntu iso and the amount of data that needs to be recovered)

Easy for you to say! Even so I would be scared to death that I would mess it up and lose everything. I have a friend who's son is very good with this I can email him this conversation and he can figure it out. I really appreciate the info! I hope that works.

[You_are_a_cunt]

1 minute ago, Humble Cactus said:

Easy for you to say! Even so I would be scared to death that I would mess it up and lose everything. I have a friend who's son is very good with this I can email him this conversation and he can figure it out. I really appreciate the info! I hope that works.

s'alright, we're here to help (mostly).

Good luck getting your files back

[Blebekblebek]

Just now, revsilverspine said:

I've worked for a shady ISP in my youth and the level of shadyness from OP's ISP is unfathomable.

agreed, but in this case, even the best scenario if court is involved the op still had to pay penalty that they demand.

he is the one who breaking the contract.

 

The software issue is another case which also can sued for whatever reason, but I doubt regular person would go that far, considering court fees, lawyer fees, and time that would be required to this ridiculous practices.

[Humble Cactus]

4 minutes ago, Blebekblebek said:

not if the software was included in the contract, which obviously OP never read.

there so many loopholes and unclear situation in this case.

 

I never thought I'd have to worry about this. I figured any reputable company would have a reasonable contract