I’m installing Windows 8.1, and after a reboot, it has a black screen.

Anonymous
2013-10-29T18:13:23+00:00

I’m installing Windows 8.1, and after a reboot, it has a black screen, with just a cursor. How do I solve this?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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Anonymous
2013-10-29T18:14:57+00:00

This may be an issue with your display drivers. Try entering Safe Mode and updating the drivers:

  1. When you boot your PC, try hitting the F8 key. This may take you to the Startup Settings that include Safe Mode.
  2. If hitting F8 doesn’t work, and you have media for Windows 8.1 (such as a DVD or USB), you can boot from media using the instructions here. Further instructions about Safe Mode can be found here.
  3. If you do not have media, use the power button to restart your computer during the boot process three times (do not let it get to the end of the boot process) . This should bring up the Windows Recovery Environment.
  4. Once you have started in Safe Mode with Networking, check for updated drivers:
  • Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.

(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)

  • Tap or click Update and recovery and then tap or click Windows Update.
  • Tap or click View details, and tap or click Check for updates. (If you don't see View details, there aren't any optional updates available.)
  • Under Optional, tap or click the update that you want to install, then click Install.

If no updated drivers are available through Windows Update, check the website of the manufacturer of your video card to see if they have updated drivers available.

If this does not resolve your issue, post in this thread.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-05-04T13:27:36+00:00

    I too had the same issue with windows 8.1.  MS ask about 19,000rs in India and gives me a non working OS, This is too bad .I tried to update my video driver as soon as I update system becomes blank, If I don't update I don't no when the system gets blank.  This is forcing me downgrade. please provide me solution, After paying so much money to MS I am frustrated. I will recommend not to use windows 8 to my friends.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-17T15:05:29+00:00

    Madeni's answer is very comprehensive; not much I can add (notice that's not stopping me...):

    F8 probably won't work for you anyway; use the Shift key / Restart method to get to Safe mode. 

    When you arrive on the black screen, issue a Control-Alt-Delete command to take you to the Task Manager / Log Off screen; it will be visible. Click on the power button in the lower-right corner of the screen and hold down the Shift key while you click on Restart.

    Now you can select Advanced Options / Troubleshooting / Startup / Restart.

    Wait several seconds and a numbered list of restart options will be displayed (e.g. Low Resolution mode, Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Safe Mode with Command Prompt, etc.). Press the number key or function key (both work) of your desired option. For Safe Mode with Networking, press "5".

    I tried every option I could think of over a period of several days: Restore, Roll Back Drivers, Install various versions of drivers, disable/uninstall drivers; you name it, I tried it.

    Interestingly enough, I installed another video card as a test - it displayed the same behavior, stopping at the black screen, so it wasn't just the (in my case) HD4000 graphics drivers.

    I finally restored the partition on the hard drive from a backup and got back in service.

    I hope you have better luck...

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-17T14:43:57+00:00

    Since it looks like this thread will probably be active for quite a while with people having various problems, I thought I'd point out a good resource that just came up.  The newsletter "Windows Secrets" has recently published a pair of articles on how to create recovery discs for a Windows system, and how to use it to recover your system.  They include Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1 and all of them except XP can be performed with an existing Windows install (XP requires some third-party help, which they describe).

    I'd give you the direct link to their two-part series, but you have to be a Windows Secrets subscriber to read them.  Subscription is free, though and I've been reading them for years. 

    http://windowssecrets.com/

    Fred Langa is the contributor who authored these two articles.  They were released this month and they're titled "Emergency Repair Disks for Windows:" Part 1 and 2.

    I hope this helps those of you who are struggling with the issues I'm seeing here.  I've been in your shoes and I know it can be frustrating.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-04-17T10:49:58+00:00

    Yes, if in the custom settings you chose a clean install then you wiped all your old operating system and installed Win 8 witne of your files. Unfortunately now they are gone unless you saved a backup of your old operating system, which you hopefully did.So don't do another install!!! Restore your old system!

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