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--- blog:2026-10-01:echolink_back_online [2026/10/01 12:29] – va7fi
+++ blog:2026-10-01:echolink_back_online [2026/10/01 12:32] (current) – [Configure Windows] va7fi
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+====== Echolink Back Online ======
+Yesterday, the Echolink computer froze mid-net.  I tried to restart it, but it kept rebooting into the BIOS.
+It's now back and running, but here's an outline of the steps I took to fix the issue (for future reference).
+===== Re-install Windows =====
+  * From a working Windows computer, I downloaded the Windows 11 USB boot drive program from the "Create Windows 11 Installation Media" section of this [[https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows11 |Microsoft page]].
+  * Following section 3 of [[https://windowsreport.com/repair-efi-bootloader-windows-11/ |these instructions]], I booted the Echolink computer using the USB boot drive and tried to "Troubleshoot" the computer that option wasn't available. :-/
+  * I decided to do a full re-install, but first I had to find the original Windows Product key (since Windows came pre-installed on that computer).
+    * If Windows had been working, I could have used ''regedit'' to navigate to ''Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform'', and lookup ''BackupProductKeyDefault''.  (See Method 3 [[https://www.techrepublic.com/article/find-windows-11-product-key/ |from these instructions]] for more details)
+    * But I couldn't boot into Windows so I used a [[https://www.linuxmint.com/ |Linux Mint]] USB boot drive and tried to <code bash> sudo strings /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM | tail -1</code> Unfortunately, the ''MSDM'' file didn't exist on that computer.  I tried that command on in my personal computers and it worked so I made notes of these keys in case I ever wanted to install Windows on them.  (See [[https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-find-windows-10-oem-product-key-command/ |these instructions]] for more details.)
+    * Finally, following [[https://amedee.be/find-the-windows-11-product-key-using-linux/ |these instructions]], I installed ''reglookup'' on the Linux boot drive and ran: <code bash>
+reglookup -p "/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion/SoftwareProtectionPlatform/BackupProductKeyDefault" \
+[YOURMOUNTPOINT]/Windows/System32/config/SOFTWARE </code>
+  * I rebooted the computer using the Windows boot drive to re-install Windows 11 from scratch on its old partition (leaving the other partitions alone), but it again booted to the BIOS. :-/
+  * I rebooted back to LinuxMint and used GParted and delete every partition on the Echolink computer.
+  * I rebooted back using the Windows boot drive and this time Windows re-installed properly. =)
+===== Configure Windows =====
+  * I used [[https://www.howtogeek.com/836157/how-to-use-windows-11-with-a-local-account/ |these instructions]] to load Windows without a Microsoft account:
+    * At the sign-in page, press <key>Shift + F10</key> to open a command prompt window and type: <code>
+oobe\bypassnro </code>
+    * While the computer rebooted, I disconnected the ethernet cable.
+    * Then chose ''I don't have internet''
+  * I used [[https://github.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat |Raphire's script]] to debloat Windows: <key>Windows Key + R</key> and type ''cmd'' to open a command prompt window and type: <code>
+& ([scriptblock]::Create((irm "https://debloat.raphi.re/")))</code>
+  * Run Windows updates
+  * Turn off device sleep and hibernation
+===== Install and Configure Echolink =====
+  * Download and install [[https://echolink.org/download.htm |Echolink]]
+  * Add Echolink to the startup folder:
+    * Press <key>Windows Key + R</key> and type ''shell:startup'' to open the startup folder.
+    * Copy (**not** Move) the Echolink link from the Desktop into that folder
+  * With the radio turned off, plug in the Signalink device and [[/links/echolink#sound_configuration |configure the audio settings]].
+~~DISCUSSION~~