If so, it could be stuck trying to apply an update. You could try getting to system restore from the recovery options and see if you can go back a day or two to see if it helps.

I don't run Win8 and Safe Mode seems to be more elusive than XP/7 but it should still be possible to get there. Try holding the right shift key while also hitting F8 repeatedly as your PC boots up. The exact timing is always the hard part but you are aiming towards the end of the manufacturer's logo screen and before any Microsoft/Windows screen.

If successful you should see the blue background screens like in this post: http://www.howtogeek.com/107511/how-to-boot-into-safe-mode-on-windows-8-the-easy-way/

System Restore will be under Advanced Troubleshooting options.

Ive tried it twice and get a black/gray screen, blank with no boot menu. Does that tell you anything?

Would you be able to tell me what to do?

I only ran Win8 for a week so I'm not familiar with the recovery options.

When you say Setup menu is it one of the screens in that post (not the black screen in the first screenshot)? If not what does the screen you are seeing say exactly?

It was, as now black. Then I again hit shift f8 and for a couple of optipns, I think one was f12 or set up menu. It was a pinkish get Dos menu. I didn't know what to select so I chose exit thinking I could get to f8 safe mode. It restarted but first have error messages saying media check fail. I again tried to the f8 thing and am back to a bland screen.

I saw a blue circle spinning and vote it is back to configuring Windows.

Choose See Advanced Repair Options on hte first screen. Then Troubleshoot. Then Advanced Options then System Restore. See if you have any restore points available. If so accept the recommended point and see if it can complete the restore.

Since they provided that option that saves what's on the hard drive. It's now at 29%. If that doesn't work I'll do restore.

One of the reasons I gave up on Win8 is that I had mine crash on me a few times and none of the recovery options ever worked for me. Just so you know, System Restore is the least invasive repair option and is probably the best choice for most problems. I could never get Refresh to work (it sounds a lot like System Restore) so can't really say what it does but it is the Win8 preferred type of repair.

It required the apps be reinstalled. I thought that meant it had overwritten everything but it looks like most of my desktop is here. I even saved my home page. Looks like it was just the apps that were wiped, which is fine because I despise them.

You say you gave up on 8. What did you do? I wasn't aware there were other optIons.

They had a deal where you could upgrade from Win7 for $15. I just didn't find any real advantage in win8 for me. After a couple of crashes/startup loops, I decided to cut my losses and go back to win7 which I still prefer.

I did come across an article that explains the refresh process if you are interested: http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-windows/windows-8-refresh-great-feature-if-you-know-the-limitations-190100?page=0,0

I think if you ever run into problems again, I would try system restore first before going to the full fledged Refresh process.

One other thought is you might want to create a repair USB stick (it can be a cheap 2gb or less one because you will just want to keep it in a drawer or somewhere for emergency) which will get you to recovery options more reliably then the F8 method. If you do choose to make the repair USB, in step 5 you won't check the box to copy the whole recovery partition. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

like my anti-virus software. I have twice used restore which is much quicker and seems to change less, as you indicated. I can't manage to install a thing, however. It's still under warranty. I tried dell tech support earlier and they said the warranty doesn't cover software, but I have been able to get help with software stuff before. I may have to try them again tomorrow and just get through to the actual tech people before being specific about the problem.

There should be a Hard Drive test available from there. I'd run that. A bad HDD could cause stalling.

The Refresh is a major reinstall of the OS which should have eliminated any software problems. The only difference between it and a factory reset is that it packs up some of your personal files into a larger file and after the reinstall unpacks the smaller files and attempts to put them back where they were. The problem may be hardware related and Dell should help troubleshoot.

This will take a while. I'll let you know how it works.