Windows 7 Start button not working

[hgelpke]

Yesterday my girlfriend asked me to look at her computer because her start button wasn't working and when I checked it, I confirmed this to be true. Neither the orb, nor the windows key activates the start menu. When I click it, the highlight flashes on it for a second but then nothing actually launches. I can't find anything online about this so hopefully you guys know something.

 

[patcooke]

Try starting up with a "clean boot" - this gives you a clean startup eliminating any unnecessary drivers or startup programs and will enable you to determine whether or not the cause may be due to a software conflict. Clean booting does not solve the problem but helps you determine a troubleshooting approach. See this MS article:

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7