Booting while holding "C" doesn't work with 10.4

Hello and sorry to hear that you are having problems. The "C" key should definitely would work. on 10.4, and all of the others, from 10.1 on.

If you are trying to boot to the install disc you have a few options. One suggestion I would try would be to maybe to try using the other shift button.

The second would be to try another keyboard.

Well, I take that back, those are things that you CAN try. If you are trying to boot to the install disc and the computer starts, just put the disc in and when the window comes up just follow the prompts to reinstall until it asks you for password and tells you it will restart. (this will not immediately install anything but will boot you to the install dvd)

Another option would be to go to the System Preferences Application and choose Start-Up Disc from under the System section, and then select the Install Disc 1 (as long as the disc is in and it appears) and then choose restart and then confirm) This will boot you to the install disc.

Another option is to insert the install disc, then shut the computer off. Then as the computer restarts, hold down the OPTION key, this will boot you to the Start-Up Manager. This should be a blue screen with Macintosh_HD (and a pic), Mac OS X Install DVD 1 (and pic) and the Apple Hardware Test. When this screen comes up, click on the install disc and it should highlight it or an arrow point up at it, then you would click on the arrow on the right side of the screen. This will also boot you to the install DVD. (or your hard drive + apple hardware test) (you can do the same do start to the other options just fyi)

What Mac are you using to boot it with? Is the disk a retail version?

It should work. What type of keyboard are you using?

With CD in tray, depress the Option key at startup. This activates the Startup Manager. Then you can select any drive.

Another alternate method is to depress/hold the following keys at startup: Command(Apple) Option+ShiftDelete This instructs the Mac to startup from a device other than the normal startup drive.

 Cheers, Tom 😉

I apologize for the redundance of information, but just so you know each mac os x install DVD is made especially for the computer it comes with. They are not like some other os's where you can just you any "plain jane" disc.

If you boot to the startup manager and the disc does not show up, or if it does not show on your desktop, than you could have a bad optical drive or other hardware issue.

Booting to the install disc bypasses all software. If you are unable to boot to the disc in any way, either by holding option, c, or by using the startup manager from wtihin the system preferences, than you unfortunately have some type of hardware problem. During the replacement something could have happened to the unit. yes. but since you are having issues relating to the drive than it could related.