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WIN8.1 IN A COMA - BLACK SCREEN WITH CURSOR

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by Joe Pepe, Aug 26, 2014.

  1. Joe Pepe

    Joe Pepe

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2014
    Messages:
    3
    Operating System:
    OS X
    Computer Brand or Motherboard:
    Toshiba R840
    CPU:
    Intel I5
    Memory:
    8G
    Hard Drive:
    Samsung SSD
    Graphics Card:
    ATI
    I have a Toshiba R840 Tecra laptop with an I5 processor, 8Gb of memory and a Samsung 250Gb SSD running WIN8.1. I installed the August Update without incident except it pretty much wiped out any personal settings I had in Windows and my programs. It also erased several program shortcuts from my taskbar but no hardware problems and no problem running programs.

    After reading about problems with the update and that MS had rescinded it I thought it best to uninstall especially since there were cautions about "bricking" your computer in the right circumstances. The uninstall from the Control Panel appeared to go smoothly.

    However, a few days later I was removing bloatware and trying to get a better contrast on the desktop and left the laptop running overnight. In the morning I checked my email and did not notice anything amiss. I shut down and took the laptop to work. At work I plugged it into the dock on my desk and turned it on.

    When I came back to my desk I had a solid black screen (no desktop) and a cursor. I could move the cursor and see the black screen with the keyboard and monitor attached to the dock. AND, I could do a Ctrl-Alt-Del and then select the Task Manager. I could use the Task Manager File and Open commands to poke around but alas, I have forgotten how to speak DOS and did not get very far.

    I found the computer was running normally when logged in remotely using Teamviewer where I could see my task bar and quick start menus. I still did not have a Desktop but I could start and run programs from the task bar remotely - laptop screen still black.

    I continued to play with the File and Open commands and finally got the startup menu and got into safe mode but no network so lost my remote connection. After several hours I got to a restore screen and decided to go back about a week - before the August update.

    Ran the Restore and now I have a MS blue screen and nothing else and can't run Task Manager. But with some help from Tony D I got to a startup menu and changed the default startup drive so I could run my Win8 disc. Now I'm sitting here trying to decide what Repair option to use so I don't wipe out my data and programs. MS on-screen tips are worthless for a first time use and I haven't found any description on the web yet.

    Anyone have any suggestions? HELP!!!!
     
  2. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    Messages:
    5,092
    Location:
    SE Pennsylvania, USA
    Operating System:
    Windows XP Professional
    Hi Joe, glad you posted here. I had to run this afternoon when you called.

    My W8 experience is limited. When you boot to the W8 disk, what options are you presented with? Is there a Troubleshoot option?
     
  3. Joe Pepe

    Joe Pepe

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2014
    Messages:
    3
    Operating System:
    OS X
    Computer Brand or Motherboard:
    Toshiba R840
    CPU:
    Intel I5
    Memory:
    8G
    Hard Drive:
    Samsung SSD
    Graphics Card:
    ATI
    As suggested, I got to the Boot Manager screen by holding the F12 while the laptop was booting up and before I saw the Windows Startup screen logo. I selected Setup from the menu and changed the DVD player to be the first drive checked for the OS. I restarted with the WIN8 64 bit disc in the drive. You have to be quick to hit any key when the system detect the DVD or it will kip to the next drive it finds. A Windows 8 Setup screen appears asking for preferences.The next screen has a very prominent "Install Now" button and a little "Repair your computer" at the lower left. I did "Repair".

    The options available are: Continue (exit and continue to WIN 8.1), Troubleshoot (Refresh, Reset or Advanced Tools) and Turn off your PC.

    Troubleshoot options are: Refresh your PC (without losing files), Reset your PC (remove all your files) and Advanced Options.

    Advanced options are: System Restore (using a restore point), System Image Recovery (using a specific system image file), Automatic Repair (for problems which prevent Windows loading) and Command Prompt (advanced troubleshooting)

    The Automatic option allows you to choose OS if dual boot.
     
  4. Tony D

    Tony D Administrator Administrator

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    Messages:
    5,092
    Location:
    SE Pennsylvania, USA
    Operating System:
    Windows XP Professional
    Not having much experience with W8, I think the Automatic Repair would be the option I would choose. The System Restore is another good option, but I think you said on the phone that you tried System Restore. For me, it's a tough call as to which one to try. It the machine were in my shop, I'd have an image backup and could try options without worry about corrupting the user's files.

    Hoping that other here with more experience with W8 will chime in with advice.
     
  5. Joe Pepe

    Joe Pepe

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2014
    Messages:
    3
    Operating System:
    OS X
    Computer Brand or Motherboard:
    Toshiba R840
    CPU:
    Intel I5
    Memory:
    8G
    Hard Drive:
    Samsung SSD
    Graphics Card:
    ATI
    Thanks for the help
     
  6. Rich M

    Rich M Guest

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2013
    Messages:
    4,580
    Location:
    NE Pa USA
    Operating System:
    Windows 7
    Computer Brand or Motherboard:
    MSI Z97 PC Mate LGA 1150 Intel Z97
    CPU:
    Intel i7 4790K 4.0Ghz
    Memory:
    Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 2133
    Hard Drive:
    Crucial 256 Gb SSD+ WD Raptor 300 Gb Sata III
    Graphics Card:
    Radeon R9 280 2GB HDMI
    Power Supply:
    Seasonic 750 watt
    "Refresh your pc without losing files" would reinstall Windows but you would have to reinstall programs if you had added any and that is probably the last step you would want to take.
    Advanced options should allow you to reboot to a cmd prompt where you can run chkdsk /r on the hard drive . Can you tap F8 after pressing the power button and get into safe mode with networking?
    If you can you can try checkdisk also from "Computer" by right clicking that and choosing "Properties" , Tools and then "Error Checking" and check both boxes then restart as suggested.
     

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