If you use more than one hard disk or want to start up from your system software CD-ROM disc or an external hard disk, you can select which disk you want the computer to use as the startup disk.
Tip: On some newer Macintosh computers, you can choose the startup disk by holding down the Option key when the computer starts up and then clicking the icon of the disk you want to start up from.
To choose a startup disk, use the Startup Disk control panel.
Open the Startup Disk control panel for me.
IMPORTANT: If an invalid startup disk is selected (one your computer cannot start up from), your computer may take as long as two minutes to locate a valid startup disk and start up properly. A RAM disk cannot be used as a startup disk, even though its icon may appear in the control panel. If you select the Network Disk icon and are not connected to a NetBoot server, your computer will take significantly longer to start up.
Starting up from a NetBoot server
If you want to start up from a NetBoot server, select Network Disk in the Startup Disk control panel. This will increase the time it takes to start up your computer.
Note: The Network Disk icon is always available on computers that are capable of starting up from a Network disk. However, you can start up from a Network disk only if there is a NetBoot server on your network.
What is a startup disk?
A startup disk is a disk that contains a System Folder with system software. (The computer needs system software to operate.) Each startup disk should have only one System Folder.
The startup disk's icon is usually located in the upper-right corner of the desktop. If you don't know which disk is your startup disk, you can check by opening the Startup Disk control panel; the current startup disk is highlighted.
Note: If you start up your computer from a CD or DVD disc, the disc's icon appears in the Startup Disk control panel, but the icon is not highlighted.
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