Windows 8.1?

[Fox Mike]

A week or so ago my Windows 8 automatically upgraded to 8.1. All was fine till this morning. I found a 'strange' icon on my desktop I tried to open it and found it was something about a network...which I do NOT have. I now cannot find any of the apps, cannot place my pointer to the top right and find any of the of the information icons nor can I go to the bottom left and find the 'start' menu. Anyone here that could help me would be very much appreciated.

 

[Cooperhawk]

I'm running 8.1 and have had no such experience. Did you reboot?

 

[Fox Mike]

I'm running 8.1 and have had no such experience. Did you reboot?

Numerous times. I would do a 'system restore' except I cannot even FIND the control panel. The ONLY things I can get to are what I had as Desktop icons. I cannot even turn the PC off the normal way; I have to just mash the 'off' button on the tower rather than the normal options of "Off" or "Restart". Everything was running OK till an 'update" was installed automatically and restarted the PC. That is when it all went 'south'.

 

[Jeepnik]

Hmm, my tablet hasn't updated to 8.1? Some kind of virus?

 

[coach]

Someday I'll ditch XP, but until then at least I'll know how to do what I want to on my computer.

 

[ronto]

You can try calling Microsoft Support at 1-800-936-4900 or get on another computer and ask your question at www.eightforums.com many knowledgeable and helpful people on that site.

 

[Virginia Boy]

To get to your control panel, right click, on the window
on the bottom left corner.

 

[FastEd]

Can you open up your PC in the "Safe Mode?"

 

[Fox Mike]

Can you open up your PC in the "Safe Mode?"

Which "F" number button do I use to do that? I have thought of that while at dinner with the little lady. Can't hurt to try nothing is working correctly now so I figure it cannot hurt.

 

[FastEd]

Can you open up your PC in the "Safe Mode?"

Which "F" number button do I use to do that? I have thought of that while at dinner with the little lady. Can't hurt to try nothing is working correctly now so I figure it cannot hurt.

Make sure everything is turned off.
Turn your monitor on.
Push the button and start your PC. As soon as it even blinks hold down the F-8 Key and hold it down until the program opens up. Now you may have to repeat the procedure a couple of times. Might even jiggle the F-8 button several times but still hold it down until it opens.

Now you are in the safe mode which is really the same as the regular mode, it just has larger letters.

You cannot use your mouse in the safe mode. Use your arrow key pad to navagate.
Move down to the System File Restore and go from there.

Read everything carefully and you will be OK. Try to select a restore date that is earlier than the date you think the upgrade was made to your PC.

Let us know how it goes.