Existing users, 
Be careful when you use the boot DVD on your main CD/DVD drive. Somehow, the stripped down OS on the DVD got switched to start-up drive on my iMac Flat Panel (the Lamp), and I wound up in a loop. There was no way to get the DVD to eject using any of the usual keyboard command procedures for ejecting recalcitrant disks. Since my iMac's SuperDrive happens to one that has no manual eject hole immediately under the tray, I had to open the case to get at the manual eject lever to open the drive tray and remove the DVD.
I wrote Micromat about my problem, suggesting that they include the Mac OS X Start-up Drive utility as part of their boot DVD as a way to get out of such loops. Their only reply was that they recommended using the "C" key to boot from the DVD (which is what I had done). They did not recommend using the Start-up Drive utility as that might lead to being trapped in a loop.
More generally, I recommend that NO ONE use applications like these unless they have a very good idea of what they're doing.
TechTool Pro
hardware/software diagnostic tool
Version: 4.6.2
A Word of Caution
Feedback Type: Commentary
Contributed by: Gene van Troyer Tuesday, July 24 2007 @ 08:42 PM PDT
Product Platform: MacOSX
Used Product For: Less than a month
Recommend Product: YES
Comments
Other methods using Terminal - Meister Fritz
There is another force eject command that can be activated from the console. I'll have to research to find the sequence. I believe it's the following:Go into terminal and type
drutil tray eject
Friday, July 27 2007 @ 11:36 AM PDT
A Word of Caution - alanthing
You could have held down the Option key during the start up chime. That would've brought up a boot menu with your internal hard drive and the DVD in the drive. From there, you can eject the disc, or choose the internal hard drive. Then you go to the OS X System Preferences > Startup Disk and choose your internal hard disk instead of the DVD.Friday, July 27 2007 @ 11:34 AM PDT
A Word of Caution - JRietz
FWIW, a DVD or CD should eject if you hold the mouse button (left) down while booting. Also, restarting with Option down should get you into open firmware where the eject key on the keyboard should work.Friday, July 27 2007 @ 12:56 PM PDT
A Word of Caution - photomacuser
Hold down the mouse button immediately at start-up to eject the DVD OR use the Eject key on the keyboard. If you have a third party keyboard, use the F12 key. I don't recall the previous versions having this problem. You can also hold down the option button at start-up and it will allow you to choose which drive to start from. Do your best to avoid opening your computer. BTW, there is also an option to include "Eject" in your menu bar. Download the freeware Onyx and go to Parameters>Finder. There you will see a check box to add Eject to your menu bar.Hope this helps.
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Friday, July 27 2007 @ 10:10 AM PDT