Can I repair disk by holding "Option" instead of "C"

[Mac Noobster]

I want to run repair disk on my mac. . But I don't want to accidentally erase my HD and reinstall the OS!


Can I hold the "option" key during start up and select the OSX DVD on the grey screen to get to disk utility and repair the disk?

Is that the same as booting from DVD by holding "C"?



Thanks!

[Mac Noobster]

Holding "C" hasn't been working for me. That's why I ask. Hope someone can let me know. Need to run a quick repair using disk utility.. booting from OSX DVD so that I can partition my drive for bootcamp.

[cradom]

Holding C forces the mac to boot from a bootable dvd.
Holding option gives you a choice of bootable devices/systems if connected.
Essentially the same thing. If holding c isn't working you sure it's still bootable? Not scratched too badly or wrong disk?

[Mac Noobster]

No scratches. It's a replacement dvd. when it boots from dvd it either gives me the circle with the line through it and ejects after a minute or two.. .. or. . gives the loading "pinwheel" kinda thing on the boot thing constantly checking the DVD in the drive for over 10 minutes.

[cradom]

Well we need to know a few things...
What mac exactly do you have?
What version of OS X are you running?
Is the dvd machine specific or a retail dvd?

[harryb2448]

And where did the replacement come from? If it is a silver model specific install disc, must be from an identical model machine, including dates of manufacture.