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

My computer does not have the f8 option it only shows, f2 to enter setup and f12 to enter multiboot menu. I want to try the option about using a recovery media option then i will talk back. I think the problem may be the settings I selected when doing the upgrade, there were two options and i selected custom settings, could that have caused all my files to disappear and the problems i'm experiencing?

Press and briefly hold all three keys down at the same time, then release.

To (re)start in safe mode in Windows 8.1, bring up the charms display, select "Settings", then "Power", and hold down the Shift key while you click on "Restart".

If you are already in the "black screen" with just the mouse cursor, use the Control-Alt-Delete combination to bring up the Lock/Switch User/Sign Out/Task Manager screen, click on the Power icon in the lower-right corner, then hold down the Shift key while you click on "Restart".

This is from memory, so cut me a little slack:

This will allow you to select Troubleshooting, Advanced, Start Options, and click on "Restart". The Restart menu will display a variety of choices; select your preferred option using either the corresponding number key or function key (both work). Example: option 5 is Safe Mode with Networking.

The computer will restart and offer the normal log-in screen, after which it will enter the selected mode.

Good to go.

I found myself with a black screen during the 8.1 upgrade right after I accepted the License terms and I was asked to sign on to complete the process. My email was displayed along with a box containing the word "Password." I could not type over the word, nor could I delete it. I couldn't go forward without entering my password and I could only back up to the License terms. I couldn't bring up the charms menu so I tried alt + ctrl + delete (which I hadn't used in a long time). Do you press the keys sequentially and hold them all down, or press and release sequentially? 

In any event, I have been unable to turn my laptop off.

Should I unplug it and remove the battery for a while? Do you have another suggestion?

Thanks for your help. I'm sort of wandering from thread to thread on my Kindle Fire HD trying to figure out what to do. I got some good advice from Andre about upgrading from the Store, but first I have to get back to the Start screen (or whatever you call it in 8).

Gloria

Hello all,

Im am sorry that like me you have been beset with the black screen woes.

The App store free update totally corrupted both of my laptops to the extent that I had to reinstall Windows 8 and lose everything on both hard drives as there is no way to repair the free 8.1 without an installation media and I kept getting a missing files message.

In order to go to 8.1 I have purchased a 8.1 disc from  Microsoft and intalled on top of Windows 8 on 1 machine.

The black screen problem is still here but to a lesser degree. I have resolved the problem by setting the power switch on the laptop to hibernate and pressing it after the black screen/cursor appears.This produces the lock screen which is hidden behind the black screen and then everything works normally.

I am running a HP Compaq 6910p with a Radeon X2300 video adapter.

Allegedly Microsoft are producing a repair patch, but their customer service is abysmal,and the difficulty talking to an "expert" defies belief.

Hope this helps some of you out,

Will.

Will, I have noticed that several people have had to purchase 8.1 discs from Microsoft. How much do those cost? Do they then give the buyer support on installing? Thanks!

Gloria