Lombard won't boot off System disc

Hi,
I have a problem that I wonder if any of you mac experts can help me with.
My problem is the computer will not boot from a system disc (any system disc) from the CD drive.
I have a Lombard Powerbook that has been running OS 8.6 (I know, I am way behind !) 192 mg RAM (64 in the lower, 128 in the upper from OWC), 4 Gb Hard drive.
The computer runs great in 8.6 - seldom crashes - however, all I have been mainly using it for is word processing.
When I try to load from any OS system disc (not the original Lombard disc, but any OS disc - 8.5, 9.2, Panther) holding down the C key, the CD drive runs for approximately 20 seconds, then stops, and on the screen I get a picture of a blank folder with a question mark - the Lombard is not reading the CD drive for some reason and won't boot from it. After a short wait OS 8.6 loads from the Hard drive.
I bought the computer on e-bay 4 years ago, and this has always been a problem - I just have been to busy in the past to deal with it.
Is there a simple command other than holding down the C key when restarting that will safely (remember I am a novice) allow me to bypass the hard drive and boot from the CD drive ?
I have done the following, which have all been unsuccessful at resolving this problem, and am out of ideas.
I have taken out all virus software from the system folder, cancelled all non-OS extensions and made sure the password extension is turned off.
I have zapped the PRAM.
I have taken out the (upper) RAM chip to be sure that it wasn't the problem - no difference.
Chosen the CD drive in the Startup Control Panel.
Checked to see if the system and finder are locked - they're not.
The CD drive may be the problem, but it runs software CDs fine, and it is the correct drive for the Lombard.
Any suggestions ? I would appreciate any ideas that people have.
Thanks.
Steve
Powerbook Lombard Mac OS 8.6 or Earlier

Steve,
You have performed a lot of troubleshooting which is helpful. There are several causes for a no-boot to CD...
1. Corrupted PRAM: You have addressed that.
2. Peripheral/external device preventing boot: Disconnect ALL peripherals.
3. Damaged or incorrect CD: The Lombard will not boot any CD earlier than OS 8.6, so the original Powerbook G3 Series Bronze Keyboard CD (has OS 8.6) or a retail MacOS 8.6 CD or newer will boot the Lombard. If you have a machine-specific OS 8.6 > 9.2.1 CD that has a computer name on it like iMac, iBook, Power Mac, etc, it will not boot your Lombard (there are a few exceptions.
Assuming you have no other problems, the Panther/10.3.x CD should boot unless you tried with only 64MB in the lower slot...then it may not boot...a Jaguar CD will, but not sure about Panther.
4. Bad drive: I don't know if an optical drive that performs normally when running an OS from the HD can also have the problem of not booting a CD. If you can find another Lombard or Pismo, swap drives and test.
5. The options for booting to a CD on the Lombard are the 'c' key, selecting the volume in the Startup Disk control panel, or the 'delete-option-command-shift' keys on restart...this forces a bypass of the HD.
6. It doesn't matter what is on the HD when trying to boot a CD; it can have a working OS or it can be empty.
Try this: If you have a supported CD, put the CD in the drive and shut down (not restart). Now press the power button and hold down the four keys for a PRAM reset...command-option-R-P...wait for two startup chimes, release the keys and immediately press the 'c' key.

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Clone
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Using Cloning as a Backup Strategy
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http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToClone-backup.html
http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToClone.html
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/7032/carbon-copy-cloner
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Message was edited by: Limnos
Message was edited by: Limnos

My macbook won't boot from install disc.

I'm actually trying to help my brother's fiance with her Macbook. She is a teacher and received a computer through school channels but of course the district IT personnel set a root password. With the password on the computer it's pretty much useless for the majority of operations.
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I'm not entirely sure that the disc we have was the disc that the OS was installed with, but I can assure you that the disc we tried was the disc that came in the box with the computer when she received it. Most likely it is the correct disc.
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