Stuck in Selective Startup mode

I did a full install of retail Win 8 64 bit on a new hard drive in a triple core AMD with 6G of RAM about a week ago. Everything was working fine except for a minor problem with the scanner button on PaperPort. The recommended fix asked to automatically close all other programs, but then advised that it was unable to do so and to close the programs manually. I didn't see anything running, but to be sure I went to run, msconfig, and did a Selective Startup with a restart. Now I can't get out of Selective Startup. I don't see a “Run” tile any more but I can get into System Config through the System Config tile. I can select “Normal Startup,” but when I restart it always starts in Selective Startup. If I open System Config, Selective Startup is still indicated. I tried doing a repair from the Win8 disc, but that didn't help. I tried doing a system recovery to a previous point, but was unable to do that.

Any ideas how to get back to Normal Startup without a full re-installation?


Aaargh. I did a full reinstallation of Windows 8, and it is still stuck in Selective Startup mode. What am I missing here? Do I need to reformat the drive?

I have the same problem with a Windows 8 Enterprise from TechNet. I became aware of the problem by trying to fix another issue of the "Change PC settings" will not open. This original issue is preventing me from creating any new user accounts! Have not solved either problem.