Black screen on reboot boot camp installation

My mac is a 2011 Mac Mini and I intend to run a version of Windows on it.

Bootcamp Assistant seems the simple choice to get windows running on the Mini, but no matter how hard I try... it does not seem to happen.

High Sierra is running on the machine, the latest MacOS it can handle.

I got a copy of Windows 8, the latest compatible windows version for a 2011 Mac Mini.

After a decent amount of patience Boot Camp Assistant helps me through the installation of windows: it creates a bootable USB, downloads the drivers for my Mac on the USB and creates a partition. Every single time it ends with a black screen.

Alternatively, if I boot with Alt/Option, I can select one of three options: Macintosh HD (Macos), Windows or EFI.

EFI is not the right option. I have read plenty about why this is such a bad choice, and of course in despair I tried it. When I select this option I immediately get the Windows Logo, the installer, etc etc. But eventually it got me to a point I started all over again and reinstalled High Sierra.

So, the Windows option should be the right one (a FAT32 partition). But no matter what I am trying... after each login I end up with a black screen and I need to reboot back into High Sierra.

Is it the Graphics Drivers? Does the USB installer lack the required capabilities to support the Mac screen?

Do I need an older screen? Is it the display (a HDMI connected 4K monitor running 1080p)?

I use a 8Gb USB2 thumbdrive that holds all files, so the USB installer and coping of the Mac drivers all worked out fine. I tried other thumbdrives, but most are USB3. I got another unbranded USB2 drive that did not help me.

One last note: the Mini has two drives inside: a SSD and 2,5inch HDD. I disconnected the HDD and rebooted again, but still a black screen.

How am I ever getting past the black screen to finish getting Windows to install on the Mini?

Anyone?