This article explains how to use the Startup Manager to choose the startup disk for an iBook, Power Mac G4, PowerBook (FireWire and later), or iMac (Slot Loading and later) computer.

These computers use a new method of choosing a startup disk. To choose the computer's startup disk, press the Option key at start up. A graphical interface with a circular arrow button, a straight arrow button, and buttons for all available disks is displayed as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Startup Manager screen.

Click the circular button to check for available startup disks, including a NetBoot server disk. Each available startup disk is represented by a button above the arrow buttons. Clicking the right arrow button tells the computer to start up from the selected startup disk.

In Figure 1, two startup disks were found: a CD-ROM disc, and a hard disk. Click the button of the disk you want the computer to use, then click the right arrow to proceed with the startup process. The disks' names will not appear beneath their buttons. However, depending upon the firmware installed, you will see a small icon indicating if the disk had Mac OS X or classic Mac OS installed.

Note: If you have partitioned a hard disk, both partitions will have the same icon.

The startup disk selected in the Startup Disk control panel is always shown on the left side of the Startup Manager screen.