I have an older Ipad that hasn't been used for quite a while and it will not start. where do I begin?

Given its age, your first generation iPad is likely beyond help. If you manage to resurrect the iPad, you’ll not find any compatible Apps - most (if not all) having been long ago withdrawn from the App Store. If the iPad indicates that it must be restored, any Apps previously installed are now gone and unrecoverable.

If you still want to try, see >>> If you see the Restore screen on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

You will need access to either a PC (with iTunes installed) or a Mac computer (with iTunes or Finder - as appropriate for the installed version of macOS). Use of a computer is unavoidable.

Download and use iTunes for Windows – Apple Support

Update to the latest version of iTunes – Apple Support

If you don’t have access to a suitable computer of your own, that of a helpful friend or family member will suffice. 

Forget this iPad.

If you end up totally resetting it, whatever that iPad had in it will be lost forever.

That iPad is over 11-years old, now.

Apple stopped supporting this iPad in 2012 and all third party app developers ended support of this iPad in late 2015/2016.

There is no more support for this iPad.

There are no apps,,any longer for this old iPad

Many older iOS apps on that iPad will no longer work.

Either keep the device as a collector's item, or properly recycle this device.

It is simply too old and pretty much useless today.

Sorry, but this is the reality for ALL 8-11-year old AND OLDER iOS devices now. Especially now in 2021!

A WHOLE LOT has happened with iPad in the past 9-10 years since that iPad models was introduced.

If you need/want an iPad with an up to date iPadOS with access to current, updated apps, then you really need to seriously consider a purchase of a new iPad model OR a much, MUCH “newer” and less expensive, refurbished or used iPad models, from better known, trusted Apple product/device retailers/resellers, some locally or from online, on the Web/Internet, capable of running the latest iPadOS versions.

There are PLENTY of less expensive, newer, older iPad models that can run the latest, current versions of iPadOS.

If you need OR ONLY able to purchase older, less expensive iPad models, look at older IPads from 2014 and later.

All of these older model iPads CAN run the latest iPadOS versions and the up and coming iPadOS 15.

2014, 9,7 inch screen iPad Air 2 models

2015, 7.9 inch screen iPad Mini 4 models

2015-2017, 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models. ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2016, 9.7 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2017, 9.7 inch screen iPad 5th gen models

2018, 9.7 inch screen iPad 6th gen models (1st gen Pencil support )

2019, 10.2 inch screen iPad 7th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2020, 10.2 inch screen iPad 8th gen models. ( 1st gen Pencil support )

Get the largest internal data storage model you can afford as NO Apple iOS device has expandable storage.

I am sorry that you had to learn all of this, but this does not change any of the facts regarding these very old iOS devices.

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!