Can't startup WITHOUT option key

[zarathu]

I have a Powerbook G4 800 with maxed ram running 10.4.11.

It has a new hard drive that is partitioned(160 gig partitioned into 110 and 30).

Recently it won't start up unless I engage the Startup Manager by pressing Option at startup.

When I do that it produces the only viable system and then it starts up when I press the arrow.

Any ideas?

 

[teapot]

Hi have you tried to select the boot drive in "start up disk" in system prefs?

 

[zarathu]

Of course. I've been using Mac's since 1992.

That doesn't seem to make a difference. Its like the start up manager is whacked, but reinstalling the whole system just to replace a faulty SM is too much since I usually just put the book to sleep. And hitting option only adds about 40 seconds to the start up.