My 2014 MBP's left shift-key thinks its permanently depressed so I deactivated it with Karabiner Elements. Now if I boot the computer this loads safe mode, but if I hold option until I see the apple logo it doesn't. What is pressing option actually doing?
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What does holding down the option key at boot actually do?
- Thread starter darngooddesign
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Maybe this will help:
support.apple.com
Mac startup key combinations - Apple Support
Learn about the Mac features and tools that you can access by holding down one or more keys during startup.
Your MBPro boots into Safe boot mode when the shift key is pressed.
Karabiner does not affect the keyboard until the system loads that software, so the shift key is still stuck, and you boot into Safe boot mode.
I did some boot testing holding shift and/or option. Shift boots to Safe Boot, of course.
Option key only, boots to the boot-select screen.
Holding both, my Mac boots normally - no safe boot, no boot select screen. Just a normal boot.
So, bottom line, your shift key is still stuck. Karabiner doesn't fix that, it only disables the shift key AFTER the software loads, so you have a dead shift key while you are using your MBPro.
It is still stuck, however. And, your work-around is holding the Option key during boot. Again, I think holding Option during boot makes your Mac ignore the stuck shift key.
And, when you finish booting, the Karabiner software comes into play, disabling that shift key.
(You need to replace the keyboard/top case
)
Karabiner does not affect the keyboard until the system loads that software, so the shift key is still stuck, and you boot into Safe boot mode.
I did some boot testing holding shift and/or option. Shift boots to Safe Boot, of course.
Option key only, boots to the boot-select screen.
Holding both, my Mac boots normally - no safe boot, no boot select screen. Just a normal boot.
So, bottom line, your shift key is still stuck. Karabiner doesn't fix that, it only disables the shift key AFTER the software loads, so you have a dead shift key while you are using your MBPro.
It is still stuck, however. And, your work-around is holding the Option key during boot. Again, I think holding Option during boot makes your Mac ignore the stuck shift key.
And, when you finish booting, the Karabiner software comes into play, disabling that shift key.
(You need to replace the keyboard/top case
)Thanks Wild, when I read that I thought it meant holding until you get to the boot-select manager and Im only holding it until I see the apple logo.
Holding the shift key until I see the Apple logo overrides the shift key because it does not boot into safe mode.
I've done various repairs on this Mac, fans, battery removal for trackpad replacement, but I'm probably going to wait with replacing the top case until I order a new 16". But decades reliance on the left shift key is some pretty daunting muscle memory to ignore.
Holding the shift key until I see the Apple logo overrides the shift key because it does not boot into safe mode.
I've done various repairs on this Mac, fans, battery removal for trackpad replacement, but I'm probably going to wait with replacing the top case until I order a new 16". But decades reliance on the left shift key is some pretty daunting muscle memory to ignore.
Pop the keycap off and see if the mechanism just needs some cleaning. There are online videos for your particular model, I'm sure. Make sure to follow the correct instructions to avoid breakage of the keys.