Special boot-up (apple-)key combinations in Mac OS X
This text is mostly written for Mac newbies with a Linux background.
The special apple keys
First a very quick introduction to the special apple keys:
- Option
- Also known as the alt-key. It has usually also the text "alt" printed on it.
- Command
- Also known as the apple key or "puppy-foot" or "flower". It has usually also an apple printed on it. It is situated next to the spacebar.
- Control
- Also known as ctrl or ctl key. Situated where most modern keyboards have them.
- Shift
- As other shift keys
The key combinations
These key combinations must be pressed while powering on the machine (or while pressing the power button)
-
S
- Command-S
-
Boot into single user mode (command-line)
-
V
- Command-V
-
Boot using verbose mode
-
- Shift
-
Boot using safe mode (temporarily disables login items and non-essential kernel stuff)
-
- Option
-
Go into openfirmware and select boot volume
-
- Command-Option-Shift
-
Bypass internal HD
- T
-
Go into firewire target mode
- C
-
Boot from internal optical drive (with a CD that has a system folder)
- N
-
Boot from network (NetBoot)
-
PR
- Command-Option-P-R
-
Reset PRAM and NVRAM
-
OF
- Command-Option-O-F
-
Go into openfirmware
- X
-
Force Mac OS X startup (?)
-
Delete
- Option-Command-Shift-Delete
-
Bypass internal HD and search a different startup volume (such as a CD or external disk)
- R
-
Force PowerBook to reset screen
- Mouse button
-
Eject CD
Perhaps useful links
