We have a Dell inspiron laptop which has been trying to update to windows 10. After several unsuccessful attempts, on a recent start-up we're now getting a blue screen with error message '0xc0000185'. The solution is insert a DVD or USB with windows installed on and re-install windows. We have neither, as the computer did not come with an installation disk and it's not possible to get into windows and create a bootable USB.
I should also mention that after running the Dell diagnostics, there was a problem with the hard drive, error message 2000-0142, validation 95040. A quick google suggests the hard drive itself might be damaged, is it possible that the windows 10 update has caused this? It would be a huge coincidence if not, either way it's very annoying that the Windows 10 update has rendered the laptop unusable. I'd first like to try and re-install windows 8.1 and see if that works, but we don't have any other laptops running windows 7 or 8 which is required for the windows 8.1 creation media tool on the Microsoft website:
We have laptops running Windows Vista and Mac OS-X Yosemite. I know it's possible to create a bootable USB flash drive for Windows 8.1 on a mac, but for that you need a Windows 8.1 iso image file, which we don't have and it does not seem possible to download anywhere legally without paying for another copy of Windows 8.1, which we shouldn't need to do as the laptop in question came pre-installed with it. Any ideas or help would be very appreciated!