PowerBook 3400: Starts From System CD By Default (3/97)

I have a Powerbook 3400 series computer which starts up with the System Software CD as the startup volume if the CD is in the CD-ROM drive when the computer starts up. Is this normal?
Yes, this is the normal and correct response to having the System CD inserted during the startup (boot) process in these computers. When the computer ships from the factory the Startup Disk Control panel is pre-configured with the CD-ROM as the default startup drive. This is only apparent when the PowerBook 3400 series System CD is actually inserted in the CD-ROM drive.

Resetting Parameter RAM (PRAM) will not disable this default startup setting. In order to disable this default open the Startup Disk Control Panel and select the hard drive as the startup drive.

This article was published in the Information Alley on 6 March 1997.


Article Change History:
04 Mar 1997 - Added keyword.
Published Date: Feb 18, 2012