Hi nickthomp.
Does start menu open if you press the windows key on the keyboard?.
Can you right click the start menu orb and choose properties, if so
In the Customize Start Menu dialog box, click Use Default Settings, clickOK, and then clickOK again.
Also try.
1 . Press Ctrl + Alt+ delete on the keyboard and click on task manager.
2 . Click on the Process tab and locate explorer.exe in the windows and click on end task.
3 . Click on File and then click on New.
4. Type explorer.exe and press enter.
Hope his helps.