Can't Log On to Windows with Microsoft Acct. after update

For the last 2 days, I can't get logged into my computer. Does anyone have any ideas?

My computer (running windows 8.1) starts up fine, and I get to the screen where I select my user profile and enter my password. I only have 1 account set up on this machine, and it uses my Microsoft Account log-on information. I enter my password correctly, and it starts to "appear" as though I am getting logged in. I receive the "Welcome" and the dots go around in a circle as it is loading. After about 5 minutes, it goes no where and then the enter passwod pops back up. I can not get past this screen, It just keeps going around in circles. I have also tried using the PIN instead of password, same result. Sometimes I receive the message "the user profile service failed the sign-in".

So far I have tried resetting my Microsoft password, and have done that successfully. I can access my Hotmail and all that fine from other machines. I also took the computer and hardwired the internet to it, thinking it might be something with the wireless (although if it is wasn't seeing the internet I would think it would tell me that).

I seem to remember a few days ago the computer telling me it was updating when I shut down, so maybe that is causing something. I am stuck and don't know where to go from here. Has anyone had this issue or have any thoughts on how to fix it? Thanks in advance!

Hello JSM, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Since you got the "the user profile service failed the sign-in" error, see if the tutorial below may be able to help. The blue note box under step 1 can help you get signed in to your computer to be able to do this.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/38838-user-profile-service-failed-sign-fix-windows-8-a.html

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

Following the instructions to get into safemode are not working.

I have pulled my hard drive and have used a docking station to remove all my important files. Any way to repair a windows live account log on failure via the hard drive? I was able to run virus and malware scans on the drive in case anything was causing my issues. It did bring to my attention this:

Disabled.SecurityCenterOption
(x64) HKLM\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\SECURITY CENTER#UPDATESDISABLENOTIFY

Not sure if this is a problem, but I removed the issue.

You might see if you may be able to do a system restore at boot using a restore point dated before this happened to hopefully fix this.