ok got it. the N version of 8.1 Pro is the problem. the lack of wmp codec will not allow any movies to be played, this includes the opening movie which will play by default on a new install. sadly windows have not yet released the 8.1 wmp codec and the v 8 codec will not work with 8.1.

I re-installed windows 8 and everything work perfectly. There was not problem with the graphics drivers, its is purely down to windows and the N version of 8.1. the official release of 8.1 is today so i will upgrade windows 8 without the N version to see if it works, but i am certain that this is the solution.

gonna post in the general forum so as many can see this as possible. i don't want loads of people going through what i went through

thanks for your help guys