By Dennis Collin
The start tab is a web style default front end interface for AutoCAD that provides tips and tricks, templates and recent file history. However, on occasion it can be disabled due to a system issue or crash and as a result the AutoCAD front end can appear blank. Templates and drawings can still be accessed from the application menu, but it can be irritating if recently edited drawings need to be accessed quickly and efficiently.
To fix this problem the STARTMODE system variable needs to be enabled.
Within a drawing type STARTMODE on the command line in AutoCAD.
Enter 0 (zero) to turn the Start tab off or 1 to switch it on.
If switching Startmode back on, AutoCAD will usually require a restart to see the change.