Hi Neil! Thanks for getting back! I was already running Start8 v1.30.1 when I upgraded to Windows 8.1. Also, I have uninstalled and reinstalled that version several times now as well. I do clean uninstalls using Revo Uninstaller Pro, so all the files are removed.
Thanks for reminding me about the shift key with shut down. I read that somewhere, but I did not know if I believed it would provided the same complete shutdown as using the command line. Does it? I am too new to Windows 8+ knowledge to know any differently. I believe that I will reinstall Start8 and try to cold boot again using that method to see what happens. If it works, that is good enough for me at the moment. I still want Start8 to work for me because I like the Windows 8 fast boot time. If nothing else, I will wipe my laptop and reinstall Windows 8. I do not need 8.1.
As far as you not duplicating....if I may ask: 1) How old is your system (mine is about 5 years old with no driver support from HP now)? 2) Intel or AMD processor? 3) UEFI or old fashioned BIOS (I am old-fashioned BIOS)? 4) On-board graphics or independent video card?
From what I have learned so far, Windows 8+, using the hybrid shut down, first logs off the user/s, then hibernates the kernel, then shuts down the hardware. Is that correct? Since my logs are showing an incomplete or unexpected shut down when trying to use Start8 or even when it is installed and I use the Charms shutdown, I am going to assume that it is occurring in the second phase somewhere. Perhaps something not being allowed into the hibernation properly? The only problem with all of this is that my PC has no problem with the Windows 8+ shutdowns when Start8 is not installed, so I am at a loss as to understand why Start8 would trigger a problem.
Ticket number for support request...I don't see one. I used the web site to submit the trouble report, and I never heard back from them. No ticket number or anything. I don't even see my request for help online when I log in.
I am off to try your shift shutdown suggestion. By the way, is there not an .ini or .cfg file that I can edit to get Start8 to do a proper shutdown and ignore whatever it and Win 8.1 cook up together on my PC during the shutdown process? Thanks again!