Restoring my OSx from an external DVD unit....

Hi guys, i got an intel based IMAC and its DVD drive is not working anymore.
I need to reinstall the operating system, I've been trying with an external DVD drive (via USB), but when the installer ask me to restart the system to begin the process, it boots like there was restarting normally.
I wonder if there is some kind of keyboard function or something that help me out to boot the Installation DVD from the external Drive (Sony external DVD).
Every comment will be very helpful!!

Hello Rikaruz
Welcome to Apple Discussions
With the drive connected and your install disk in the drive, try holding the Option key while restarting the iMac! The iMac should startup in the startup Manager and hopefully give you the option to startup in either the Macintosh HD or the Install Disk! There may not be any need to reinstall the OS X, once your booted from the Install Disk, go up to the menu bar and select Disk Utility and try to repair the Macintosh HD.
Dennis

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