I am running Start8 on my ASUS Q2OOe Laptop and even though I have Start8 set to open to the desktop on boot it doesn't always do that. About 1 time in 5 cold starts it remains at the start screen and I have to click on the desktop tile to get there. If I reboot from 'Restart' it seldom happens.
I use Start8 (full version) and it has always booted to the desktop 100% of the time (no failures). Are you using the trail version or have you upgraded to the full version? Also, have you checked for updates since your initial install (there have been at least two that I am aware of)? Currently, I am using Start8 v1.12 (latest).
Custom HTPC systems builder, trouble shooter for Apple and PC products.
My HTPC specs:
Core i5 W7 Pro/W8 Pro+MCE
Lian Li blk mid tower 10 gigs + 2 OS HDD's W7/8.
Other Info
Gigabyte UD3 mobo P55 chipset.
Workstation:
Same as above but using the "M" series mobo with ATi 5670
Dell Inspiron 17R i3 3rd gen W8.
Nokia Lumia 810 W Phone8.
Try this StartIsBack - real start menu in Windows 8 (there is free trail and its cheaper than start8 if you wan to buy it)
does this load to desktop?
I have used start8 for some time but replaced it with start is back. I find it more stable and it has better functionality (same as windows 7) start8 only just recently added drag and drop support, and before it had some problems to boot to desktop or you could see start screen for a bit and only then go to desktop
start is back was good from the start and its cheaper I bought 5 pc version for 5USD that's 1usd per pc.
Boot to desktop
Your session would start with the desktop. Always!
Unlike other solutions, StartIsBack goes directly to desktop every time without flashing Start Screen even for a millisecond.
I set explorer.exe to run at Startup instead of at log-on though.
I boot straight to Desktop every time.
I get a very quick flash of metro but it is so quick if I blink I'll miss it.
Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
Sound Card
AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
Monitor(s) Displays
Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
Screen Resolution
Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
Hard Drives
AMD K140
Cores 2
Threads 2
Name AMD K140
Package Socket FT1 BGA
Technology 40nm
Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
Family F
Extended Family 14
Model 2
Extended Model 2
Stepping 0
Revision ON-C0
Instruction
It would be interesting to see if one of the other Start Button programs acts the same way on a Start8 computer with random failures. Unfortunately, I can't do such a test because my Start8 never fails; however, in trying to hypothesize what might be going wrong, it could have something to do with the number/quantity of apps that are loaded on the Start menu. Now, in my case, my Start menu is very clean; however, in many cases, there are tons of apps on one's start screen, and I notice that "all of my apps appear" for a blinking second before I make it to the desktop. However, in other cases, there are tons of apps to be loaded so I wonder if there is a timeout of sorts involved (while Windows is attempting to load all of the app's icons)? Here's my start screen:
It's a known bug as previously stated and you should perhaps be asking on Stardock Forums as well. I believe, but am not absolutely sure, that turning off auto-login helps prevent it from happening.
It happens here randomly.
I just updated, this morning, from V1.11 to V1.12. I've done a couple of reboots and its consistently coming up to the desktop. Maybe this will fix it.
It's a known bug as previously stated and you should perhaps be asking on Stardock Forums as well. I believe, but am not absolutely sure, that turning off auto-login helps prevent it from happening.
It happens here randomly.
There is a free program ClassicShell Setup 3.6.5.exe which does all that paid programs like StartIsBack and Stardock Start8 do. I am using it after giving up on StartIsBack and without any problem. I especially like the way it fetches the Start Screen by pressing the Windows key.