Windows 98 Start-up menu gets displayed

How can I fix a problem when starting (booting) Win98 it displays the Start-up menu (same as when hitting F8) defaulting to number 3 (safe mode). Trying to run the system in Normal Mode (#1), it always runs the scandisk and takes a while before it goes back to the Start-up menu (still defaulting to #3). Letting the system run in safe mode, I restart it and from this point its processing the way it should have been (bring up the Windows 98 log then the desktop).

Please help! Your assistance is greatly appreciated!