Screen goes dark with a mysterious message on Windows 8.1

F5F Stay Refreshed Software Operating Systems Screen goes dark with a mysterious message on Windows 8.1

FloraColossus
Junior Member

01-22-2016, 02:10 AM

I assembled my PC a month ago with an Athlon x4 760k, MSI A78M-E35, 8GB Vengeance DDR3-1600Mhz RAM, WD Blue 1TB, CX430M PSU and GTX 750ti (EVGA SC). After logging in, I reached the login screen but everything shown was a black screen with no cursor. The cursor works and Task Manager is accessible. I searched online for guides that show how to open Command Prompt and check the C:/ drive for missing files, specifically mentioning deleting 'Windows Activation Technologies'. However, I encountered errors saying the file isn't there or can't be found. All GPU drivers are current since I use GeForce Experience. There seems to be no solution other than a complete reinstall. I'm very cautious about installations and have only added a few essentials from my library, including games from Steam. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as this is urgent for me.

FloraColossus

01-22-2016, 02:10 AM #1

BlackStarG5
Junior Member

01-22-2016, 03:09 AM

I didn't purchase Windows; I downloaded it.

BlackStarG5

01-22-2016, 03:09 AM #2

I didn't purchase Windows; I downloaded it.

monkeyszombies
Member

02-04-2016, 05:47 AM

Have you attempted a fresh installation since it seems like a black screen reinstall resolved the issue, even though I could still log in?

monkeyszombies

02-04-2016, 05:47 AM #3

Have you attempted a fresh installation since it seems like a black screen reinstall resolved the issue, even though I could still log in?

tlr13579
Member

178

02-05-2016, 09:57 AM

Purchased Windows 8.1 Pro Student edition.

tlr13579

02-05-2016, 09:57 AM #4

Purchased Windows 8.1 Pro Student edition.

khaledkb_
Senior Member

724

02-26-2016, 05:46 PM

I could possibly do it, but I’d rather avoid it.

khaledkb_

02-26-2016, 05:46 PM #5

I could possibly do it, but I’d rather avoid it.

SOBERALHAZIEL
Member

133

02-26-2016, 11:15 PM

Try it now if possible.

SOBERALHAZIEL

02-26-2016, 11:15 PM #6

Try it now if possible.

Im_Cole_
Junior Member

02-29-2016, 05:50 PM

In the final attempt I halted the process during startup, switched to recovery mode, and performed a system refresh – seems to have resolved the issue.

Im_Cole_

02-29-2016, 05:50 PM #7

In the final attempt I halted the process during startup, switched to recovery mode, and performed a system refresh – seems to have resolved the issue.