Finder window at start up

I've been using Macs since 1993 and got into a work pattern of always having a Finder window open to navigate round the system.
So on every re-boot the same Finder window reappered wherever I left it on shut down.
With Mountain Lion I find this has completely disappeared.
I don't seem to be able to achieve the same behaviour at all.
Except for one or two ocassions (and I can't find the pattern there either !) I am always faced with an empty desktop on start up.
I've looked through help files, checked "re-open widows on start up", searched through preferences, etc, etc
Does anyone know anything about this please ?
Many thanks
Rod

Hi R L,
I have seen this happen a couple of times on my iMac and I am not sure what causes it. Mine did the same thing a couple of times when I first got it but has not done it since.
I would start by repairing the Disk Permissions and then checking the hard drive for problems using Disk Utility while booted off your system install CD. Instead of installing a new system just use the file menu and navigate to Disk Utility and have it repair your disk.
It could be that something you installed has caused this issue and as a general rule it is always a good idea to repair your disk permissions after installing new software, even Apple software. Sometimes installers don't reset the permissions like they should when they have completed the install.
Good Luclk!!

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