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Question

Can't run Cortana

Jul 21, 2016 8:42PM PDT

Cannot access Cortana's settings, microphone does not respond. 3 hrs. with microsoft tech, couldn't fix it. Ran sfc/scannow and DISM. Ran CHK Disk. System restore fails on every restore point. Ran Spybot S&D. restarted. Rebooted in safe mode. : (

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Microphone
Jul 22, 2016 1:26AM PDT

Does this device show in device manager?
Is this a w10 upgrade?
Make and model of the machine?

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Yes, my microphone works, but not on cortana.
Jul 22, 2016 1:17PM PDT

Cortana used to work, but no longer does. This is an HP model p6650z, upgraded to win 10 from win 7. Clicking on the Cortana search bar now does nothing, and the mic icon is gone.

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Just tried it
Jul 22, 2016 2:03PM PDT

Cortana is a needy thing. Location on, Inking and a Microsoft account. Try turning it off reboot and turn back on to see if it starts to work again.

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Can't turn it off.
Jul 22, 2016 2:35PM PDT

All location and language settings are good. I can't turn Cortana off, cause I can't access her settings. Have rebooted several times including in safe mode w/ networking, but no change. Microsoft tech worked for 3 hours, then ran a third party program called HitmanPro, and said: Well, you have malware but for a paid subscription, I can fix it for you. I ran Spybot and removed malware, but it didn't fix it. I tried to use my system restore, but I guess it's broken too, since it keeps saying it can't restore to any previous dates.

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That's a sign of a damaged OS.
Jul 22, 2016 3:07PM PDT

The malware looked to have dinged up the OS. Here's a thing. Removing malware does no undo the damage.

The fact that Microsoft could not fix in 3 hours is another sign it's damaged.

Microsoft at that point usually tells you to reset W10.

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reset w10?
Jul 22, 2016 4:17PM PDT

How do I reset W10?

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That's on the web.
Jul 22, 2016 4:26PM PDT

Google that question and there it is.

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googled it!
Jul 22, 2016 9:34PM PDT

Can't reset. Process locks at "choose keyboard language", but I can't choose because the system has disabled keyboard and mouse.

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Re: reset
Jul 23, 2016 12:37AM PDT
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Ouch.
Jul 23, 2016 8:11AM PDT

I've yet to see such deep damage. But W10 is pretty new yet folk continue to use registry cleaners.

I would take Kees advice and make the recovery usb stick to reset with next.