To install or remove system software on a hard disk (or to initialize a hard disk), you need to start up your computer from a CD-ROM disc that contains system software such as your software install or software restore CD.

When starting up from a CD, make sure you use a CD that contains system software.

1. Turn on your computer if it's not already on.

2. Press the CD Eject button on the front of the CD drive to open the tray.

3. Place the CD in the tray with the disc label facing up. Make sure the disc is lying flat in the tray.

4. Gently push the tray in to close it.

5. Make sure the "Caps Lock" key is not engaged.

6. Hold down the C key on your keyboard while you choose Restart from the Special menu.

7. When you see the screen that says "Mac OS" and the phrase "Starting Up," release the C key.


In a few seconds the desktop appears. The CD icon appears at the top-right corner of the desktop (above your hard disk icon), and the Apple menu does not contain the usual items.

Note: The desktop pattern will be different from the pattern you normally see since the computer is now using the system software that's on the CD. The regular desktop pattern will reappear the next time that a regular startup is performed..

When You're Finished With the CD:

When you start up your computer from a CD, the CD cannot be ejected in the usual way (by dragging the CD icon to the Trash). To restart your computer from the hard disk and eject the CD, do one of the following:

• Choose Restart from the Special menu. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, press the CD Eject button on the front of the CD drive. Remove the CD and store it in a safe place. Gently push the tray in to close it.

• Open the Startup Disk control panel, select the hard disk then close the control panel.


Restart computer. After startup, drag the CD icon to the Trash (or choose Put Away from the File menu). When the CD tray opens, remove the CD and store it in a safe place.

Gently push the tray in to close it.

Selecting the CD Drive as Your Startup Disk

If you want to start up from a CD every time, you can choose the CD drive as the startup disk in the Startup Disk control panel. To do this, follow these steps:


1. Insert a CD disc into the CD drive on your computer.

2. Open the Startup Disk control panel.

3. Click the CD icon then close the control panel.


Your computer will now start up from the CD until you change the startup disk.

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