I can only tell you my experiences.
I think you do have to install the CD drivers. (probably
why it hangs on the CD address)
I have an A3000 with an external drive box. It has a
CD Rom and a 9 gig drive in it.
When I ran OS 3.1 I could do as you want, I could turn
off the external box and only turn it on when I wanted
something on the drive or CD Rom.
Now with OS 3.9 I can't do that (I don't know why).
The machine will only boot if both drives are running.
It will work once after a new install.(I tried this
several times). Once the second drive has been turned
on something is written to the primary drive that requires
the second drive to be turned on.
I except it now and just turn on the second drive now
when I boot.
I'm guessing why it happens, I just don't know how to fix
it.
