Mac startup key sequences

What are the Mac hardwares various startup key sequences?

On the older Macs, Shift used to be start without extensions, Ctrl-Apple-O-F would boot to OpenFirmware, (but didn't the Intel Macs switch to EFI BIOS's?)

If the shortcut is hardware specific, please note it.


Google is your friend: http://www.jacsoft.co.nz/Tech_Notes/Mac_Keys.shtml


  • Bypass startup drive and boot from external (or CD): commandoptionshiftdelete
  • Boot from CD (Most late model Apples): C
  • Force the internal hard drive to be the boot drive: D
  • Boot from a specific SCSI ID #. (# is SCSI ID number): commandoptionshiftdelete#
  • Zap PRAM: commandoptionPR
  • Boot into open Firmware: commandoptionOF
  • Clear NV RAM. Similar to reset-all in open Firmware: commandoptionNV
  • Disable Extensions: shift
  • Rebuild Desktop: commandoption
  • Close finder windows (hold just before finder starts): option
  • Boot with Virtual Memory off: command
  • Trigger extension manager at boot-up: SPACE
  • Force Quadra av machines to use TV as a monitor: commandoptionTV
  • Boot from ROM (Mac Classic only): commandoptionXO
  • Force PowerBooks to reset the screen: R
  • Force an AV monitor to be recognized as one: commandoptionAV
  • Eject Boot Floppy: Hold Down Mouse Button
  • Select volume to start from: option
  • Start in Firewire target drive mode: T
  • Startup in OSX if OS9 and OXS in boot partition: X or commandX
  • Attempt to boot from network server: N (Hold until Mac Logo appears)
  • Hold down until the 2nd chime, will boot into 9?: commandoption
  • OSX: Watch the status of the system load: commandV
  • OSX: Enter single-user mode (shell-level mode): commandS

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1533

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