Mac ignores all startup key combinations!

[macintologist]

I don't know exactly when I started having this problem, but I remember when I used Tiger I could do it fine. I can't startup in single-user mode (hold down CMD S) or the startup disk select one (hold down OPTION). My iMac completely ignores those commands and it goes straight to the desktop. I want to startup in single-user mode so I can run Applejack but my Mac is completely ignoring the CMD-S command while booting.

This works perfectly fine on my Mac Mini also running the latest version of leopard, but something is wrong with my intel iMac and I don't know what.

 

[SilentPanda]

It sounds like it's not recognizing your keyboard moreso than ignoring you. Are you using a bluetooth keyboard?

 

[angelwatt]

If you happen to have a Firmware password setup it could be one possibility as it stops some of them from functioning.

 

[killerrobot]

I remember reading somewhere about someone saying they had a PC keyboard that they had to use at startup in order for their iMac to recognize boot up commands. He said it was well documented - who knows but it's worth a try.