I'm trying to update my media center PC to Windows 8 Pro. It's been happily running Windows 7 Ultimate since it was built last year. Details:
•Intel 2nd Gen Core-i5 2500K
•Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics
•Biostar TH67+ ver.6.1 motherboard
•Samsung 8 series plasma (1080p)
I first tried an in-place upgrade but ran into issues with the HDMI output. Everything works fine via VGA, but when using HDMI, starting Windows Media Center results in the screen going black and the TV reporting "No Signal". If I plug VGA back in (and unplug HDMI) I can see the following logged in the Event Log:
Log Name: Application
Source: Desktop Window Manager
Date: 12/10/2012 9:34:09 PM
Event ID: 9020
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Mediacenter
Description:
The Desktop Window Manager has encountered a fatal error (0x8898008d)
Event Xml:
Since then I've done a completely fresh Windows 8 Pro install (many times), updated the motherboard BIOS to latest, tried three different video driver versions (Windows in-box, Windows Update, and latest from Intel site) and the problem persists. I've also tried various BIOS settings for the integrated graphics (multi-monitor support on/off, reserved system memory size, etc.).
Note I've tried multiple cables and inputs on the TV also, all of which work fine with other devices. When using HDMI, I can see POST screen and Windows loading screen fine, as well as login and start screen/desktop. Starting Windows Media Center causes the issue.
From the error logged it appears to clearly be a driver issue and links on the Intel forums seem to suggest others having similar problems (http://communities.intel.com/message/149058#149058)
As I said, this machine was working perfectly fine as my lounge room media center PC running Windows 7 for over a year 24/7.
I've run Windows Media Center for over seven years now, all custom builds, and am at a complete loss. My assumption is this is just bad driver support from Intel for Windows 8 but hoping somebody can point me in a new direction.