some reason Windows updated to 8.1 to then just stop and show me a black empty screen, <g class="gr_ gr_17 gr-alert gr_gramm Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" data-gr-id="17" id="17">with</g> not responding. It is neither letting me shut down nor restart [I could just access task manager].. I want to go back to my 8 version instead of but it will not load my cd, nor  can go back to my restore point or my disk image. This is the second time it updated to 8.1 on its own and then stopped working.... Pleaseease</g> ease help. 

i do not want it to go to 8.1 on its own again... what can I do? 

• Edited by Crap09 Wednesday, February 04, 2015 1:10 AM

yes, Windows update will force you to upgrade to Windows 8.1 even some hardware not ready to upgrade due to driver or hardware compatibility

may I know your laptop model?

If you think that your laptop already stable you can avoid Windows update by hide it or disable it

If your laptop is Lenovo, go to Lenovo One Key recovery and cancel the upgrade, you also need to disable hybrid shutdown feature, Some of Lenovo model still not advice to upgrade to Windows 8.1 (related to HW and SW compatibility)

check this FAQ

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8

• Edited by britishdhez Wednesday, February 04, 2015 2:52 AM

could just access task manager

what can I do? 

If you can use TM you can do a lot.  E.g. first find out if explorer.exe is running.  Restart it if it is.  Try starting it if it isn't.  And if that doesn't work start it with an operand, e.g. to see if if can at least function as File Explorer.  Or you can start msconfig and change your Boot options.  E.g. try switching to Low res video (aka VGA mode).  Or you can use shutdown /r /o  to get into Boot Options.  Etc.

 

Good luck