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
    2013-11-08T21:37:06+00:00

    Just one more try here.  Once recently when the black screen appeared after install and I just knew the install went well, I removed the connector to the monitor and the driver load or shift or what it was sound bell sounded.  I plugged the monitor back in and the image was on the screen.

    It is not advised to disconnect and reconnect peripherals while the machine is running, but I do it sometime, very carefully so as to not ground out something.

    Beyond that, I have no more tricks at this time since it sounds like you've done all the main ones, like removed the video driver completely in safe mode and reinstall.

    Good luck Studio五百

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-08T21:25:57+00:00

    Hello ClarenceE

    Thank you for taking the time to respond, it is very much appreciated.

    I have tried the options you suggest but no joy to date. I can only think it must be a driver or programme issue due to safe mode and networking being available. Windows had installed a series of new drivers and updated the intel graphics card from a 4000 to a 4600 HD. I have removed these but still no joy.

    I have even considered a refresh trying to download one of the installs mentioned earlier but no joy in that area either as my key appears to be invalid. I was a windows 7, online upgrade to 8 then 8.1.

    I have enabled boot logging and will see what that throws up.

    BTW I could not find an agp option in my setup. Right clicking my desktop only gives very few options being an intel hd on board graphics.

    Many thanks though for your suggestions.

    Best regards

    Studio500

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-08T20:11:16+00:00

    Hello Studio,

    It might be that the video is projecting to a different screen that is not on your machine.  Video cards that have more than one form of video and can be projected to more than one screen can leave your screen blank because the card is shifting the display to a place where your display is not.

    If you can go into safe mode, try to set the video display to agp, even though that is what it is in safe mode.  While there you can also make sure the right video driver is on your machine, especially since you can have networking too.  You could download and install in safe model if that is what the problem is.

    When the Operating system loads regularly and you have a black screen, you might try pressing the windows key and shift key all together with the left or right arrows to shift the screen projection to your monitor.  That worked form me.

    Good luck,

    Clarence

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-11-08T19:35:45+00:00

    I have this exact same issue also.

    I installed the windows 8.1 upgrade all seemed to go well and managed to log in. After a few minutes I restarted my PC, windows start screen appeared then nothing just a blank black screen.

    I tried to do a system restore but found that all my restore points had been wiped.

    Refresh was another option but I do not have a windows 8.1 recovery cd!

    I'm really annoyed and have spent hours trying to get my pc back to working order.

    Fortunately I can start in safe mode with networking but nothing much else.

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