This paragraph was written long after the issue was solved. I think the black screen was a 2ndary monitor’s view (but we didn’t have a 2ndary monitor). So – first, ensure you have ONLY a digital cable going from your computer to the monitor OR an analog – not both (first things first). Then, if this does not solve it, hold down the WindowsButtton-P and press the down arrow – does something happen? Is it set to the TOP option of Primary Screen? If a pull-out out showed up change it to Primary Screen (top option) So doing a restore point to before the issue will NOT solve it because updates will overwrite this (plus this was too long ago to do a restore point). Another thing that will solidify this (since an update triggered all of this) is to uninstalling the graphics driver AND all the monitors in your Device Manager (not just disable) and doing a reboot (which will reinstall with the latest drivers) seem to solved it for good. I posted here to so you can read this in context.

Other items that could help that I recorded as a start to this article can be followed below.

A good resource to help other people remotely to repair their machine would be at this link

• http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/http-wwwbleepingcomputercom-tutorials-automatically-repair-windows-8-with-automatic-repair-/

If you are lucky – you MIGHT be able to hit the keyboard fast enough to get to safe mode – I did once – once enough to fix the problem! Here is the “new” way to do it. Not sure why it needed to change.

• http://www.howtogeek.com/107511/how-to-boot-into-safe-mode-on-windows-8-the-easy-way/
• another way is listed on this site – I copied and pasted it since it might not stand out
  • Just a little tick I stumbled across.
    Rather the frantically smashing F8, wait for the accont log-in screen.
    Don’t log in, but go to the right bottom ‘shut-down’ symbol.
    Once the pop menu shows the options select ‘restart’ whilst holding the ‘shift’ key.
    A lot easier, less stressfull and works.
    Richard

Graphics adapters might need to be disabled. The computer did have “Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000”

• http://www.vmwareandme.com/2013/10/step-by-step-how-to-solve-windows-81.html#.UtrImaUQG2w