Thanks Jim for the quick response. When I upgraded from Windows 7 to 8.1 I did not reinstall Windows Media Center. I was having the black screen issue when I used the back button. This was solved last month with the removal of "option for fullscreen exclusive mode in Theater View". In an effort to eliminate this issue, when I changed to 8.1 I did not want to put anything on the computer that may conflict. I did read the wiki section you suggested and I did have something that has not happened before. When I tried to select either commands or devices & options I get a pop up saying " you don't appear to have a media center receiver connected to your computer. Please connect and try again." I do have a media center remote receiver connected in the usb port. My Logitech ultimate remote send its commands to this receiver and other than the issue of the loss of control, it works. I have previously been able to access both commands and devices & options but cant now.