Re-install, can't find menu bar

I was having problems with my dell laptop, so I had to have a new hard drive installed. I just restored the computer, but now I can't find the menu I had before. When I first got the laptop there was a meu bar at the top middle of my screen allowing me to organize some of my programs. I'm pretty positive it was there when I first got and started my computer, but after the reinstall it's not there and I am unable to figure out how to get it back.