PARAGON HFS+ FOR NT (Latest version, 10.2)
I have at last got to the bottom of what was happening on my system. The text below is to Paragon support. It is self-explanatory. For those with Paragon HFS+, this will be a solution (albeit a partial one). For those without HFS+, it will be only relevant
inasmuch as it shows there are a host of contributory factors to the upgrade (update) errors that are being experienced. It suggests that lack of testing by third-party developers (as MS wanted, when it shifted from a true RTM to a rushed job) is behind the
problems that many are experiencing. In other words, MS is now fire fighting on multipl fronts having not given 8.1 sufficient pre-testing before release. No wonder they are not saying anything. Big ball dropped on their part. Sorry to be personal but
no wonder Balmer is going.
--- TEXT TO PARAGON FOLLOWS ---
I have spent three weeks on and off trying to install Windows 8.1 as an update to Windows 8.1 (Pro).
I have just (at last) discovered that Paragon HFS+ (for NT) was behind the driver failure BSOD that occurs once the initial install stage is over. This is the bit after the compatibility checking and when Windows 8.1 is ready to go to the "Setting up X%" stage.
Normally, the system would reboot and go through this stage but with HFS+ installed, a BSOD and a driver error occurs. The update is then removed and the system returned to the state (windows 8) prior to the install.
I am unclear whether the problem is with Windows or HFS+, but they are clearly incomapatible. When HFS+ is removed, the update goes fine.
After having updated to Windows 8.1, my next step was to try to reinstall HFS+. The HFS+ program reinstalled without any problem, and appears to act in a normal way.
This is a pretty clean machine with very little on it.
Could you please advise whether this incompatibility is known to you, and when a fix is likely to be obtainable.
Thanks.