Also did you check your Windows Event logs for errors? If you still can't use the start button, try restarting your pc in safe mode, then look at the Windows Event logs. It'll look ugly because things will be in lousy screen resolution but once back out of safe mode you'll be back in your preferred settings. It's possible there was a Windows update. Today is Patch Tuesday for Windows machines *scratch this line. I'm wrong on today being a windows patch.

The dust settled, thinking "what a fine home, at least for now" not realizing that doom would soon be coming in the form of a vacuum cleaner.