Thank you for the response, The_Gear. Unfortunately, Start8 still is not working.
I booted my Windows 8.1 HDD and the usual Start8 log-in screen appeared. I entered the information and nothing happened. I rebooted the computer, and this time no log-in screen but no Start button either. It appears to be loading, I can see it in Task Manager/Processes as Start8 and Stardock Start8 Service (32 bit) . Note I am running a 64 bit version of Windows8.1.
I then entered Explore and double-clicked on Start8.exe and also Start8_64.exe but no joy.
Please help me get this going again.