Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White): Unable to start from Mac OS X 10.3.2 Install CD by holding "C" key

If your Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White) computer has a Matshita CR-587 CD-ROM drive, it may not start up from the Mac OS X 10.3.2 Install disc when you hold the C key.
It may be able to start from other system CDs, but not the Mac OS X 10.3.2 CD.

If you can start from a Mac OS X volume (such as your hard disk), put the Install CD in after you've started up, then click the "Install Mac OS X" icon you see on the CD. You may be prompted to enter an administrator password. The computer will then restart, and should start from the Install disc. This won't work if you can only start from Mac OS 9.

Otherwise, follow these steps.
  1. Insert the Mac OS X 10.3.2 Install disc if it isn't in the computer.
  2. Restart the computer and hold these keys: Command-Option-O-F . This asks the computer to start in Open Firmware.
    Tip: If you don't start in Open Firmware, try again. Make sure you're using a USB keyboard, and that the keyboard is connected directly to one of the computer's USB ports.
  3. type: boot cd:,\\\\:tbxi
  4. Press Return.

Published Date: Oct 11, 2016