I just purchased a new HP computer with Windows 8 preinstall. However I am not able to get the start up menu screen. Any suggestions as to what the problem may be. I'm getting what appears to be a desk top. This is a brand new PC.
just learning to use a pc, no laptops for me as yet.
Then you probably have a keyboard? Does it have a Windows Logo key? (A modifier key, usually on the left between two other modifier keys. AKA Win- key) Then you don't need a Start button. In fact, if you were a long time Windows user you might be used
to pressing Ctrl-Esc to open the Start Menu. Same thing, no need for a Start button then either. Guess what? Pressing Ctrl-Esc does the same thing as pressing Win-. Opens the Start Screen. Just like the Start Menu but bigger. More options. More
functionality.
A bit trickier now for mouse users. They have to dig the Start Screen icon out of the bottom left. Or learn to bring up the ghost Charms bar by digging it out of a right corner and then sliding up or down an edge to reach the Start Screen button in it.
So, perhaps analogous to having a particular spot to have to go to to restore the Taskbar or a Toolbar from its Auto-hide position? <eg>
Old habits die hard. In order to try to break the habit of looking for a Start button to click on in my Taskbar I put a Run... button there in position 1. It also acts like a Search bar with memory. E.g. I open the Run... and press F4 which is quite
similar to using the old Start Menu. But that's not new either. Because I have been doing that since NT4 too. ; )
I recently became aware of a brochure that I think every W8 user should see (.pdf file):
