Latest Windows 8.1 update - after login black screen only.

MLyman

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Yesterday I installed an update for Win 8.1 (It was around 90 some mb) after I login I only get a black screen with a useless white cursor. Screensaver works fine, when I do a CNTRL/SHIFT/ESC the task manager box pops up for a few seconds and disappears. I was able to create another user account and everything works fine, but I need to get my first account working properly ASAP. Any ideas? Thanks!!!
 
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Is there a way to access all of my programs from my original administrator user account? That would work too. I set up my new user account as an administrator too. Thanks.
 
I tried updating late last year when the update first was offered. Same thing happened to me and I was allowing MS to remotely control my computer to try to fix the mess the installation made. After 4 long hours she finally told me to just do a refresh and if that didn't work to do a full install. I had to do the full install. I really wish she would have thought about what you did as another option. Black screen, no task bar and just a cursor. I called it 'Cursor in the Dark'. Not fun at all.
 
Most probably incompatible display driver. You have to update it before installing 8.1 upgrade. That's what happened to me once. When I installed Win8.1 directly, video card worked but with MS drivers that are pretty basic. Had to install newest ones from AMD (they were a week late with new ones).
Later on I installed Win8 again, installed updated drivers and than upgraded to 8.1 thru the store and there was no "white arrow-black screen syndrome" any more. In the interim I run Win8.1 compatibility check and sure enough it pointed to driver problem. Ever since Vista MS has compatibility checker.
 
Yea, that was one thing that the MS tech mentioned that the NVIDIA drivers were not good. Now I can't upgrade at all. The stupid store keeps telling me I need Admin privilages to install the update. Uh, I am the Admin! So I guess I'm stuck on 8 until I get a new computer. Just wish I could tell the OS to stop with the green banner upon booting in every other day. It's annoying. I've wasted too much time on this update crap. I really hate this new way of doing things. Feels like I'm back in Linux.
 
Yea, that was one thing that the MS tech mentioned that the NVIDIA drivers were not good. Now I can't upgrade at all. The stupid store keeps telling me I need Admin privilages to install the update. Uh, I am the Admin! So I guess I'm stuck on 8 until I get a new computer. Just wish I could tell the OS to stop with the green banner upon booting in every other day. It's annoying. I've wasted too much time on this update crap. I really hate this new way of doing things. Feels like I'm back in Linux.
Win 8 actually runs pretty good on older and weaker HW but without proper drivers (and they are manufacturer's responsibility) you maybe up the proverbial creek.
 
Well spent a few hours with an MS tech. My situation has been escalated to Tier 2 support and they will be calling me between 9 and 11 AM on Sunday morning. Gotta get the coffee going and hope for the best. If not I think I'm just going to give in and pay the $99.00 for the full disk over at Amazon and be done with it.

Now I just need really easy to understand system backup software. I've got an external RAID array (just two drives). The one thing I hate about some backup software is that it's all saved in an encrypted file format, that's really not the way I want to go. I'd just like a straight forward solution. Any suggestions?
 
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