How to boot to Windows using a PC Keyboard

KennyKW · 10:08 PM

I got a pc keyboard and would like to use on my iMac. The problem is that it doesn't seem to have key to allow me to boot to the OS selection screen.

When using the Mac wireless keyboard, pressing the "Option" key while switching on will bring you to the OS selection screen. But pressing the "Alt" key in the PC keyboard doesn't seem to work.

Intell · Jan 11, 2013, 09:05 PM

Press the Alt key. It's the same key to the machine and it does the same thing.

KennyKW · Jan 11, 2013, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Intell

Press the Alt key. It's the same key to the machine and it does the same thing.

Have you ever tried it, or are you making guesses? Pressing the Alt key doesn't seem to work.

MatthewAMEL · Jan 11, 2013, 10:23 PM

I have the Corsair K60 FPS keyboard and I love it.

However, I have the same problem as you. The 'alt' key doesn't send the necessary signal to the Mac at startup to prompt the OS X/Boot Camp selection screen.

I have gotten used to using the Startup Disk System Preferences Pane to switch between OS X and Windows.

BTW- the issue isn't unique to Boot Camp. I have the same problem switching my Late2009 iMac and i7 Mac Mini. It says cmd+F2, but it must be the APPLE cmd key. So I have a Apple Wired keyboard sitting behind the iMac for the rare occasions I need to switch to the Mini's physical desktop. The rest of the time, I use Screen Sharing.

Intell · Jan 12, 2013, 10:00 AM

I've tried it and it works.

Jan 11, 2013, 09:03 PM	#1
KennyKW macrumors newbie Join Date: Apr 2011	How to boot to Windows using a PC Keyboard I got a pc keyboard and would like to use on my iMac. The problem is that it doesn't seem to have key to allow me to boot to the OS selection screen. When using the Mac wireless keyboard, pressing the "Option" key while switching on will bring you to the OS selection screen. But pressing the "Alt" key in the PC keyboard doesn't seem to work. Last edited by KennyKW; Jan 11, 2013 at 10:08 PM.
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Jan 11, 2013, 09:05 PM	#2
Intell macrumors G4 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Inside	Press the Alt key. It's the same key to the machine and it does the same thing. __________________ Last edited by Intell; Yesterday at 11:50 AM.
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Jan 12, 2013, 10:00 AM	#5
Intell macrumors G4 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Inside	I've tried it and it works. __________________ Last edited by Intell; Yesterday at 11:50 AM.
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Jan 11, 2013, 10:23 PM	#4
MatthewAMEL macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orlando, FL	I have the Corsair K60 FPS keyboard and I love it. However, I have the same problem as you. The 'alt' key doesn't send the necessary signal to the Mac at startup to prompt the OS X/Boot Camp selection screen. I have gotten used to using the Startup Disk System Preferences Pane to switch between OS X and Windows. BTW- the issue isn't unique to Boot Camp. I have the same problem switching my Late2009 iMac and i7 Mac Mini. It says cmd+F2, but it must be the APPLE cmd key. So I have a Apple Wired keyboard sitting behind the iMac for the rare occasions I need to switch to the Mini's physical desktop. The rest of the time, I use Screen Sharing.
	0