How do you force eject

To open the Optical Drive Tray or eject a troublesome disk ⏏ :

• Switch on/reboot
  
• After the startup chime, press and hold the keys <command/apple> <alt/option> <o> and <f> ( ⌥ ⌘ F O )
  
• At the command line prompt, type: eject cd
  
• Hit Return, the optical drive will then eject.
  
• Insert the Install disk.
• Type: mac-boot
  
• Hit return.

Now boot from your Panther install CDs and from the menu bar (before installing anything) choose Disk Utility. On Macintosh HD run "Repair Disk" and "Repair Disk Permissions". Quit Disk Utility then restart without installing anything.

My hunch is that you are critically short of hard disk space.

Let us know how you get on.

mrtotes

At that point I would suspect a hardware issue. If you're handy with a screwdriver it's a very cheap part to replace. If not seek assistance from an Apple-authorised service provider.

cheers

mrtotes