lol...thanks for that...the only options it displays are -v for advanced setup options and ? to learn what those setup options are. after i hit 9f and enter i am the told to either hit enter to boot the DVD of F8 to boot up with advanced setup options. it then gives me another option to choose either -v or ?. to my knowledge everytime i use the ? command nothing happens so i usually end up just using the -v command unless i want to stare at that evil grey apple screen until i get bored with it. i have been looking around and people that have tried this using pirated retails are told that it could be a bad burn or rip. could it be that i don't have the right kext files in the BOOT 132?