Key presses at startup don't work

[pipep]

same problem on my late 2006 macbook, no startup combinations keys work.

i tried pushing repeatedly the caps lock button, and yes, it only works (green light appears) after the apple logo is on the screen, just an instant before the wheel below starts spinning, so, too late for any key combinations.

as result of this i can't reset the pram, log in in safe mode, or run apple hardware test, wich is what i was trying to do when i realized the problem.

i tried with the old white usb wired keyboard with no success.

i tried using the apple remote pressing menu and something happened:

a huge lock appeared, with a white input bar below and a right pointing arrow inside a circle. so obviously a typed in my password (not user but system pw), clicked on the circle, and get to the same screen you get when pressing option at startup. i don't have bootcamp installed anymore, so my only choice was "os x" drive... tried to use keys combinations then but didn't work.

so, my internal bluetooth device decided to quit this morning, wich means I can't put my computer to sleep (it wakes up every 7 or 8 seconds draining my battery; checked the console and yes, usb7 - bluetooth is the problem even if i can't see it anywhere), or sync my blackberry, or use my bt keyboard & mouse anymore. Sleep problem was solved by changing "sleep mode" into hibernation mode option 1 ( http://www.macworld.com/article/53471/2006/10/sleepmode.html ), but lost bluetooth either from system preferences and from system profiler. but this is a different story...


I'm on 10.5.6.

 

[JediMeister]

pipep, sounds like at some point someone, or yourself, enabled a firmware password on the computer. There are steps for clearing the firmware password, essentially you need to change the RAM configuration (add or remove a module) and then reset the computer's PRAM. Your keyboard shortcuts should then work.

 

[pipep]

pipep, sounds like at some point someone, or yourself, enabled a firmware password on the computer. There are steps for clearing the firmware password, essentially you need to change the RAM configuration (add or remove a module) and then reset the computer's PRAM. Your keyboard shortcuts should then work.

just find a minute to try this out, and mate! that was it! i couldn't solve my bt problem as it just seems to vanished..., but at least i gain access to the startup combination keys!

thxs Jedi!

 

[jerryfanyang]

Swapping out the keyboard works for me! Friend's 24" iMac, don't know which year. Tried all kinds of USB keyboards, from the $4 ones to Compaq branded keyboard. The only one that worked for me is the clear plastic apple keyboard. Strange though, the $4 one actually worked once and no more. Thanks for all the pointers!

 

[-tWv-]

try to repair permissions on the OSX disk by booting into your install cd by inserting them and going to system preferences--> startup disk. This is what I had to do when the keyboard acted up on my uMB.

 

[trainguy77]

try to repair permissions on the OSX disk by booting into your install cd by inserting them and going to system preferences--> startup disk. This is what I had to do when the keyboard acted up on my uMB.

This won't affect startup key sequences as its before the OS or hard drive is even looked at.

 

[BigEliz]

Big Thank you for solving key presses @ startup problem

Wow. I can't thank all contributors enough. I was at my wit's end! Mine was a similar story - having changed to the less clunky aluminium keyboard, the boot key combinations were simply an empty gesture, the computer merrily starting up as normal every time. Thank goodness I still had my old keyboard, but only just! It was in a box getting ready to go to a charity shop! Now I guess there's a reason to keep it. Don't you all (well, some of you are new Mac users, so maybe not)... I LONG for the days when Macs where rock-solid, reliable machines. Any little problems were easily sorted out by an enquiring mind. The BAFFLING problems I've had with mine lately make me wonder why I stay with Mac!

Anyway, many thanks for all of your hard hours and days devoted to sorting out a pretty silly little, but essential, problem. I've only spent 2.5 hours!

Cheers

 

[BigEliz]

key presses @ startup problem: update

I spoke too soon, as some of you might have guessed I would. The old keyboard worked - ONCE - as if it's some kind of enchanted object in a fairy tale. I managed to reset my PRAM but am unable to reset my NVRAM. Still beset with the original problem, which is a sleepy, freezing mouse!

Does this forum (part of Mac's huge corps of beta testers - aka customers) feed into Mac's bug fixing efforts? Has anyone heard of a downloadable fix out there? Seems like the problem has been around for quite some time...

 

[pipep]

Does this forum (part of Mac's huge corps of beta testers - aka customers) feed into Mac's bug fixing efforts?

u can send ur feedback anytime to apple, on any product.

some times they listen , some times they don't, probably depends on how many complains they get on the same issue.

www.apple.com/feedback

 

[masotime]

bit of thread necromancy, but I wanted to add on that I had a similar problem trying to upgrade an old iMac with OSX Leopard. The Aluminum Apple Keyboard refused to trigger any boot options, so I swapped it with a Windows keyboard of all things and the Alt key worked. Ugh.....

 

[Thares]

I finally solved this issue by putting a extension cable between the iMac and the keyboard. This is so weird and annoying. I hope this helps other people who are having the same issue.

 

[rhino63]

Same issue here with a Mac mini, Leopard 10.5.1 and a new wired alu keyboard. My old wireless Apple keyboard works fine for those boot up hotkeys, but no love for the new one.

I can't believe that Apple would overlook something like this, especially on a keyboard directly wired in...I'm doing more research to see if there's a fix or knowledge of this over on the Apple boards.

update:
Nothing to report from the support forums, but I did find a few tidbits around the web-
http://www.tuaw.com/2008/01/11/mac-101-boot-options/#c9782388
http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.mac.misc/browse_thread/thread/e898f634d9030621

Apparently, you can use the Apple Remote to get to the boot options screen by holding down the "menu" button. I think we're stuck waiting for a firmware fix on this because this keyboard isn't even being loaded until after the OS starts booting.

[doublepost=1485011125][/doublepost]Confirmed on the remote I just booted to the screen that allows you to pick the disk you want to boot from.Thanks!

 

[AppleTech2]

Key presses at startup don't work 'cause plug into my DELL USB

No startup key combinations work at all on my Mac Pro early 2008.

Thanks after much trying (Googling, reinstallling my system, trying different keyboard, calling Apple support) I solved my problem while reading the previous message from REYNE in NEW ZEALAND.

I simply unplug my keyboard from my 30 inch Dell screen and plug it directly in my machine. IT WORKED!

But why such an expensive machine like this on have so few USB ports?

Thanks a lot!

That worked! Apparently Startup Manager can't be accessed with new Apple keyboards on this model.