Final update:
I am now posting this reply using Win 8.1 pro preview.
Finished last night (or early this morning) reinstalling win 8.1 into VMware Player for the 3rd time.
I even downloaded a fresh copy of ISO for installation.
Results :
No more issues except this "sign in" debacle.......
I can sign in ONLY if I have selected a particular forum.
I cannot sign in after I have logged on to this WindowsForum.com site.
An annoyance I will have to live with.