No bootloader?

[Kiamo]

I have installed JaS 10.4.8.  Install went fine, but now when I start without the DVD, I get no system disk.  If I start with the disc in and let it just count down, it starts loading the OS off the HD, then eventually kernel panics.  I'd like to use the -x option (nVidia chipset/GPU), but how can I do this?  If I hit F8 at the countdown, the only startup volume listed is the JaS DVD.  For some reason, though, if I just let it count down it boots the machine.  Can I tell that boot line to load off the HD instead somehow or somehow get the bootloader on the HD?

 

Thanks.