Booting with the alt key shows non bootable volumes

When booting my MBP with the alt key pressed, non bootable volumes (partitions) are displayed. Has anybody else experienced the same thing?
I would like to know how to remove the non bootable partitions from the System Startup Manager.
Tanks

I have a similar situation with my Quicksilver (2002) G4. Holding down the option key at startup reveals a volume, in my case, that has not been connected to the computer for months and is not connected now. Resetting PRAM and NVRAM does not remove it.

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Booting holding the alt key

I try to boot my newly bought Mac Pro holding the alt key but I only get a blanc screen.
Holding shift or "c" or "d" is working, but it seems to freeze on holding the option-key.
I already tried to remove everything that is not "standard" (PCI eSata card, extra hdd).
Even did a clean reinstall of the OS but nothings helps.
Couldn't find much answers on the net.
Anybody a idea or suggestion?

What I did:
Booted from the original install dvd, started diskutility, checked al partitions (bootable and not).
No problem found.
Still with the install dvd in the optical I removed all hdd's and tried to boot with the alt-key. white screen.
I disconnected the optical drive and put one hdd with 2 partitions back in place. white screen.
Still with only 1 hdd I disconnected everything except the keyboard.
=> 2 bootable partitions found . . . whoohoo.
Connected 1 device at a time back untill I got again a white screen without bootable partition.
The ethernetconnection seems to be the guilty one.
RJ45 disconnected => correct startup with ALT-key
RJ45 connected => white screen.
I tried it several times so I'm sure about this.
The MP is connected to a small gigabitswitch from d-link.
Nothing special in the network.
A solution or reason for this would be nice, but now I know how to work around, so the 'urge' is gone now?

I can't get adobe reader x to copy a column with the alt key, can someone help me.

I can't get adobe reader x to copy a column with the alt key, can someone help me.

Hello Pat,
Thank you for getting back to me. I have a table with columns in it and I’m trying to copy just one of the columns, think of it as a stock table you would get in a newspaper and I just want to copy the column that has all the symbols in it. I use to be able to do this with no problem in previous versions of Adobe Reader by just putting my cursor next to the column I wanted, holding down the Alt key and selecting the data I wanted . But with the new version that came with my new laptop running Window 8.0 I can not accomplish this task. Adobe Reader wants to copy everything in the table. I would take a screen shot to show you, but when I open Reader, it takes over my entire screen and I can not get back to my task bar or desktop without closing the app. If you could also tell me how to correct or adjust this annoyance I would appreciate it. Needless to say I’m not currently a big fan of the new version of Reader. Is there any way I can go back to a previous version of the product with Windows 8 as my OS?
Thanks you for your help with this,
Ed

Problems with the alt key and numbers, please help major issue

All of a sudden I am unable to use the alt key with any numbers, meaning I can't create hashes (alt 3) and bullets (alt 8), and others that I haven't missed yet. I've tried two keyboards, one wireless and one wired but to no avail. It seems to work fine for everything except 3 through 9.
I found somebody with the same issue beforehand:
*I have finally tracked the problem down to a problem preference file, namely this one:*
com.apple.symbolichotkeys.plist
*I have no idea what it's supposed to do, but it wasn't doing it right.*
But even still, it made no sense to me, can anybody help me? This is an issue that's been disrupting everything I do on my Mac for a few days now, and not found the issue as yet.

Feel a bit silly now! Just sorted it myself, had a look around my hard drive, and deleted the com.apple.symbolichotkeys.plist file, and restarted, when I started up and tested it my ¡€#¢∞§¶•ªº keyboard alt tab seemed to work!
For future reference, just do this and restart afterwards:
[YourHardDrive]>>Users>>[YourUserName]>>>Library>>>Preferences>>>com.apple.symbo lichotkeys.plist>>>Delete that>>>Restart your Mac and you've fixed it.
Cheers anyway!

I have a new HD installed and bought a new mac os x 10.6 don't have the admin password, after booting and pressing alt key a padlock shows up but don't have a password. what can i do

i just got a macbook pro harddrive wasn't good so got a new one in and bought mac os x 10.6 to install.
unfortunately after inserted the disc in the drive, and press the alt key, a padlock shows up requiring a password but a don't have the password. there is nothing on the harddrive running. is there anything you can help me with. thank you.
caboampong

caboampong wrote:
bought mac os x 10.6 to install.unfortunately after inserted the disc in the drive,.....
I'm confused
I took this to mean that your DID have an install disk.
By holding down the "C" key, you are booting to the install CD.
Alternatively, you can hold down the "option" key, to select which drive to which you want to boot.

NetBoot Images not "seen" by MM / MBA when booting with ALT without any local bootable Volumes

Hello Community!
I ran into a very odd Problem trying to start Production and Service Mac Minis or Mac Book Airs from our NetBoot Server holding the ALT Key while the Startup Chime sounds. Image selection is working fine if a local Volume is present. When no local bootable Volume is available the Macs will (in 90% of the Cases) stop responding at the point where the Bootpicker should show all available NetBoot Volumes. The dropdown menu for choosing a Wireless Network is popping up but after that the spinning wheel next to it stops and the Mac wont recognize any input from mouse or keyboard.
The EFI Startup environment is not totally stuck in these cases though, cause sometimes when you restart the NetBoot Service on the Server the NetBoot Volumes will popup on the clients screen.
If you hold the clients "N" key instead to Start Up from the Servers Default NB Image it works like a charm. Also all the other Mac Models have no problem at all Netbooting using the Bootpicker.
Among other things I already tried the following:
- changing NBI index numbers
- shortening Image names that are sent out by the Server at the BSDP ACK[LIST] step to reduce the packet size
- deactivating all Netboot Images but one
- setting up a second netboot Server and transferring half of the Images to it
the Netboot Log shows that the following client - server communication is repeated over an over:
Oct 10 16:58:47 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: DHCP INFORM [en0]: 1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5
Oct 10 16:58:47 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: ACK sent <no hostname> 192.168.2.112 pktsize 300
Oct 10 16:58:48 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5 NetBoot1271 arch=i386 sysid=Macmini6,1
Oct 10 16:58:48 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: NetBoot: [1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5] BSDP ACK[LIST] sent 192.168.2.112 pktsize 364
Oct 10 16:58:48 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: DHCP INFORM [en0]: 1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5
Oct 10 16:58:48 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: ACK sent <no hostname> 192.168.2.112 pktsize 300
Oct 10 16:58:53 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5 NetBoot1271 arch=i386 sysid=Macmini6,1
Oct 10 16:58:53 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: NetBoot: [1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5] BSDP ACK[LIST] sent 192.168.2.112 pktsize 364
As a next step I thought of transfering DNS, DHCP and NAT Services to another Machine, although i dont know if that will help.
If you had the same problem or know anything that might help to solve it, i would be very happy if u share your knowledge with me
as i am starting to get insane on this one
thank you in advance,
Colin Andrew

Hello Community!
I ran into a very odd Problem trying to start Production and Service Mac Minis or Mac Book Airs from our NetBoot Server holding the ALT Key while the Startup Chime sounds. Image selection is working fine if a local Volume is present. When no local bootable Volume is available the Macs will (in 90% of the Cases) stop responding at the point where the Bootpicker should show all available NetBoot Volumes. The dropdown menu for choosing a Wireless Network is popping up but after that the spinning wheel next to it stops and the Mac wont recognize any input from mouse or keyboard.
The EFI Startup environment is not totally stuck in these cases though, cause sometimes when you restart the NetBoot Service on the Server the NetBoot Volumes will popup on the clients screen.
If you hold the clients "N" key instead to Start Up from the Servers Default NB Image it works like a charm. Also all the other Mac Models have no problem at all Netbooting using the Bootpicker.
Among other things I already tried the following:
- changing NBI index numbers
- shortening Image names that are sent out by the Server at the BSDP ACK[LIST] step to reduce the packet size
- deactivating all Netboot Images but one
- setting up a second netboot Server and transferring half of the Images to it
the Netboot Log shows that the following client - server communication is repeated over an over:
Oct 10 16:58:47 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: DHCP INFORM [en0]: 1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5
Oct 10 16:58:47 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: ACK sent <no hostname> 192.168.2.112 pktsize 300
Oct 10 16:58:48 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5 NetBoot1271 arch=i386 sysid=Macmini6,1
Oct 10 16:58:48 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: NetBoot: [1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5] BSDP ACK[LIST] sent 192.168.2.112 pktsize 364
Oct 10 16:58:48 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: DHCP INFORM [en0]: 1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5
Oct 10 16:58:48 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: ACK sent <no hostname> 192.168.2.112 pktsize 300
Oct 10 16:58:53 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: BSDP INFORM [en0] 1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5 NetBoot1271 arch=i386 sysid=Macmini6,1
Oct 10 16:58:53 macimgsrv.intern bootpd[20296]: NetBoot: [1,10:dd:b1:ea:d1:e5] BSDP ACK[LIST] sent 192.168.2.112 pktsize 364
As a next step I thought of transfering DNS, DHCP and NAT Services to another Machine, although i dont know if that will help.
If you had the same problem or know anything that might help to solve it, i would be very happy if u share your knowledge with me
as i am starting to get insane on this one
thank you in advance,
Colin Andrew

My MacBook won't boot past the grey screen showing a folder sign with question mark, My MacBook won't boot past the grey screen showing a folder sign with question mark, My MacBook won't boot past the grey screen showing a folder sign with question mark

Hi, I need some serious help immediately. I have been using an external hard disc to watch movies and stuff on my MacBook. However last night I removed the external hard disc accidentally without closing the programs that were still using the data from the hard disk and hence the complete MacBook got hanged and nothing responded. I tried using command Q to shut down the program buy it didn't help either. So finally I gave up and shut down the MacBook manually by pressing the power on/off button.
However when I tried restarting my MacBook I faced a serious problem. The start up won't boot beyond the grey screen showing a folder sign with a question mark sign in it .. I just don't know what to do. Somebody please help me and guide me through this problem
Awaiting quick response
Gratitude in advance
Regards
AJ

If you try booting your Mac holding down the Option key, you should see the icon for Macintosh HD. Try selecting that to boot. If you can get in that way, go to System Preferences > Startup Disk and select your Mac HD, then click Restart.
If you can't see the Mac HD, the volume may indeed need repair as Niel said.

I have MacAir with OS 10.8.4, how can I cancel the automatic link of my USB flashdisk to Mac instead of BootCamp, since I have one time press the ALT key before choosing "MAC" or "BOOTCAMP". Thanks

I have MacAir with OS 10.8.4, how can I cancel the automatic link of my USB flashdisk to Mac instead of BootCamp, since I have one time press the ALT key before choosing "MAC" or "BOOTCAMP". Thanks

That only happens when you are running Windows in a Virtual Machine with OS X as the host. Shut down the VM and restart your Mac. Once the VM is running again and you insert a USB flash drive you should get that prompt again.

This message shows up when I try to access my auxiliary iPhone library: "The iPhoto library is on a locked volume. Reopen iPhoto when you have read/write access, or reopen iPhoto with the Option key held down to choose another library."

This message shows up when I try to access my auxiliary iPhone library: "The iPhoto library is on a locked volume. Reopen iPhoto when you have read/write access, or reopen iPhoto with the Option key held down to choose another library."
What did I do wrong? I have been downloading all my photos into this same library since Janurary with no problems.

What version of Mac OS X?
Click the black Apple icon on the top left of the screen and select About This Mac. The next screen will show the information.

I am having trouble trying to boot from my lion osx install disk on a 2007 macbook. The disk ejects when I start up with the option key depressed. Anyone have any ideas?

I am having trouble trying to boot from my lion osx install disk on a 2007 macbook. The disk ejects when I start up with the option key depressed. Anyone have any ideas?
Thank you.

How did you get a Lion OSX install disc? They don't exist. Do you mean the gray disks that came with your 2007 MacBook?
If you mean the gray disks, try starting up with the "c" key held down.
What version of OSX is on your MacBook now? Have you tried booting from the Recovery partition?

How fix problem of the Alt Key, when used with with the Clone stamp, generating an overlay image?

I am using CS5. When I try to use the Clone Stamp or Healing Brush Tools, pressing the Alt key generates an extraneous image which overlays the
the image which is being worked on prevents these tools from functioning by sliding at around when the ALT tool is pressed. Does any one elso have this odd problem? How can it be fixed?
Thanks,
JackIsaac

. Yes this was the problem. As a novice, I would have spent hours and hours figuring this out. Many thanks.

Can't Zap the P-RAM , Can't start from an installer disk with the C-Key...

Can't Zap the P-RAM , Can't start from an installer disk with the C-Key... or The D-Key for Apple Hardware test or run with the shift Key in Safe Mode!!!
About a week ago I started to have problems with the Mac after 10.5.6! First the Mac after shut down would restart on its own in 10 to 15 minutes. I read in various forums about some of the 10.5.6 problems. I did a clean reinstall where the Mac created a previous system folder. After this suddenly mail, I-Chat as well as some other programs would open, then close immediately! Since I did not have things backed up because I didn't have a large drive, I dragged my files and apps to another drive and reformatted the drive zeroing out all data and did a fresh new install then brought in the combo 10.5.6 update.The Mac is running correctly but I can't Zap the P-Ram, startup from the Mac OS X installer Dvd with the C key or run Apple Hardware Test with the D key or boot in safe mode with the shift key. I can boot any of the Bootable disks from the start-up Disk in Preferences.
I went over this with Apple and they suggested I run the Apple Hardware test. It won't run on this machine because I can't boot it with the D- Key. I ran tech Tools and every single thing checks out OK! This Mac has worked great since I got it in I believe Feb or March of 2007.

Make sure that you don't have firmware password protection enabled. It will prevent some boot key shortcuts from working, like clearing NVRAM, etc. You can disable firmware password protection by booting off the OSX DVD and loading the utility.

My left shift key on Macbook Pro Retina (15") is behaving like the F11 key (show/hide open windows). The key behaves the same for the laptop keyboard and for an external Apple keyboard? This just started in last week after 6 months of use

My left shift key on Macbook Pro Retina (15") is behaving like the F11 key (show/hide open windows).
The left shift key behaves the same on the laptop keyboard and on an external Apple keyboard.
This just started in last week after 6 months of use. The right shift key and other keys on the keyboard all appear to work correctly.
Suggestions greatly appreciated.

I have a solution to this issue now after a discussion with Apple Support. Some where in the last few weeks, there was a change in the key that would do a Show Desktop under the Mission Control settings in the System Preferences. Even though the key sequence that was shown for the Show Desktop setting did not include the Left SHift key, by changing this first to having no key sequence and applying that and then changing it back to the F11 key, the Left SHift key issue that I was having has cleared up.
A second issue that was uncovered was that the SSD had some issues (uncovered when I ran Disk Utility using the Repair Disk key). I had to restart and use the Disk Utility through the Command R sequence to get to the stand alone Disk Utility. The SSD appears to be running better as a result as well.
Hope that this is of use to someone else in the future.

My MacBook Pro will not start up. I only get a grey screen with the spinning wheel. No blue page appears and the grey screen remains. Tried starting with the Shift key but ineffective as well.

Can't get my MacBook Pro to start up. Have shut it down several times and tried restarting but all I get is a grey screen with the spinning icon. Apple Support online suggested starting with power button followed immediately with the shift key. Same results. Also tried power button with shift key, command, and V. Black screen appeared instead with lots of data language but still no starting. This final page was suppose to result in an internal system check and restart but nothing happened and the black screen remains.Where do I go from here? Scheduled for the Genius Bar tomorrow but would like to resolve this beforehand.

You may be having a hardware problem that you cannot resolve on your own. Nevertheless...
...hold down the command and R keys whilst booting to try to get to your Recovery partition. If you can, use Disk Utility to try to Verify your boot drive (usually named "Macintosh HD" unless you've renamed it). If the verification fails, try to repair your hard drive. If everything appears to be OK, restart.
If you can't get into your Recovery partition, your problem is likely hardware related. If so, keep your appointment and see what the Apple techs have to say.
Clinton

I copied our entire music folder from old PC on tovnew iMac, all our muisc is there, but not our individual libraries have gone. and holding down the alt key when opening iTunes, brings up no options to choose or create libarys, can i recover our liba

Hi
I copied our entire music folder from our old pc on to the new imac, and all the apps, music etc is there, but no individual libarys, we had 5 very different ones, when pressing and holding the alt key on opeing itunes, nothing happens it just opens into itunes, no option to choose or create a libary, what am i doing wrong?

Did you copy the entire iTunes folder, not just media? This includes the critical library.itl file.
Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/message/13025536 and https://discussions.apple.com/message/17457605
Now you say you had 5 libraries. If you really mean that then you would have to have copied 5 different iTunes folders in their entirety, not just one folder. Anyway, something makes me feel you did not copy a whole iTunes folder and all its subfolders and files, you only copied the music.
On the starting with the option (alt) key held down I really don't know what to advise. It works for me hundreds of times and just about everybody else here. The only thing I can suggest is to hold the key down longer or perhaps start iTunes and then 1 second later hold down the key for a few seconds.

Booting with the alt key shows non bootable volumes

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