I'm using BOINC 7.2.42 on a Windows 8.1 64bit system, and was just wondering:
If I select run Manager at login, does this run the manager or just the client? Because when I went into Options the other day I found that it was on, but the manager never opened at startup.

The normal process under Windows is that Windows starts the Manager at login, and in turn the Manager starts the Client.

When the Manager is started automatically like that, it runs minimised in the Notification Area (the old 'system tray', by the clock). Under Windows 7, it's completely hidden down there, unless you customise the notification area BOINC icon to 'Show Icon and notifications'. But it's running, and can pop up balloon notifications if needed. I don't know if Windows 8.1 behaves exactly the same, but it's worth looking.

Ok then, thanks.