Cannot choose startup disc with option key

Hello,
I have an intel based iMac 24" and I ve installer bootcamp. Eveything is working fine except that I cannot choose the startup disk with the option key when the computer starts.
I m not sure if this is relativ to bootcamp. I m using basic keyboard (the one that came with the iMac), mighty mouse ...
I hit option (as soon as the computer restart, I even hit option before starting the computer). And I keep option key down.
So everytime I need to switch OS by choosing startup disk in the preferences system, rahhh
Thanks for the help.
BigM

Then I can only assume there is a serious problem with your OS X installation or the system firmware because they control the Boot Manager as well as the processing of startup command keystrokes. I would take the computer to an Apple service center for repair because it is still under warranty.
The only thing you could do is to reinstall OS X which I would recommend you do from scratch.

Similar Messages

Unable to choose startup disk with "Option" key

I recently ran into this problem after installing Windows through Boot Camp. When I boot up my Mac and hold the "Option" key it just ignores it completely and flies right on into whatever OS I have selected as my startup disk.
It also will not work if I have a DVD or CD in the drive, and I noticed it is doing this even without a Windows partition.
Any ideas or help is appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Aaron

As I said above, it works fine.
I noticed this as well: none of the keys on the keyboard work when the machine starts up. I tried plugging the keyboard directly into the Mac instead of having, at I usually do, plugged into the Cinema Display and that didn't change anything.
I recently just took the machine in for repair and the replaced an I/O board, any chance that may have something to do with it? It was working fine before I had the repairs.

Mac Book Does Not See XP as Option On Startup with 'Option' Key

After successful install of XP Pro, my Mac Book only shows the Mac HD on startup when I hold down the 'Option' key. Per instructions, this procedure is suppose to show both the Mac & Windows HDs and allow a choice at startup. Ant ideas how to fix?

Hatter:
I now have a premise for this problem. I used an XP install disc that I received with a Compaq laptop that I purchased last year. HP/Compaq often write their own information to the boot section upon install of the operating system. If this happened when I installed XP from the Compaq disc then this HP/Compaq boot information may be interfering with the XP boot being seen at startup when the option key is pressed.
To prove this premise I need to know if you installed XP from a disc provide by an OEM under their brand such as HP. If so then we can conclude that the premise stated above is correct and that the solution would be to install a clean version of XP from MS.
Can you help?

12 hour kernel panic, resolved with option key, but why?

i have no idea why my ppc G5 failed to start this morning.
booted up last night at 10:30, read mail, went to see new video from "within temptation" emailed to me from student - also went to their website and to the site of 'nightwish"
listened to 2 samples and then went to watch 24.
shut down computer about 2am, having forgotten it was on.
it is scheduled to autoboot at 6:16am with itunes playing as my alarm.
this morning it did not complete booting before kernal panic. it would not boot
ran diskwarrior 4.1, it found 33% out of order and fixed most - still are some problems with SUID files, that i understand may not be problems, just un-updated database files. it went into kernal panic when i tried to check my other 500gig seagate drive (i have 2 internal drives) that is home to timemachine and DVD movies (250gig of each). inserted leopard disc, ran permissions and several were corrected, some would not be repaired. verified both discs - both are good.
from apple site (run from my macbook) shut down booted with 'X' pressed - no go.
then booted with 'option' key pressed, selected my hard disc and everything booted normally.....why?
as a 10yr apple user, if you can tell me why this happened &/or how i can avoid it in the future i'd really appreciate it
thankyou
DETAILS:
Tue Apr 7 16:38:59 2009
Unresolved kernel trap(cpu 0): 0x400 - Inst access DAR=0x0000000005F9D000 PC=0x0000000000000000
Latest crash info for cpu 0:
Exception state (sv=0x5962a280)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x40009030; DAR=0x05F9D000; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x5967FAE0; XCP=0x00000010 (0x400 - Inst access)
Backtrace:
0x00000000
backtrace terminated - unaligned frame address: 0x0000001C
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x5962a280)
previously dumped as "Latest" state. skipping...
Exception state (sv=0x5961a000)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x00000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x00000000; XCP=0x00000000 (Unknown)
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task
Mac OS version:
Not yet set
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 9.6.0: Mon Nov 24 17:39:01 PST 2008; root:xnu-1228.9.59~1/RELEASE_PPC
System model name: PowerMac7,2
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xFFFF0004): 0x400 - Inst access
Latest stack backtrace for cpu 0:
Backtrace:
0x0009BCF0 0x0009C694 0x00029EA0 0x000AFC10 0x000B32F8
Proceeding back via exception chain:
Exception state (sv=0x5962a280)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x40009030; DAR=0x05F9D000; DSISR=0x40000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x5967FAE0; XCP=0x00000010 (0x400 - Inst access)
Backtrace:
0x00000000
backtrace terminated - unaligned frame address: 0x0000001C
Exception state (sv=0x5961a000)
PC=0x00000000; MSR=0x0000D030; DAR=0x00000000; DSISR=0x00000000; LR=0x00000000; R1=0x00000000; XCP=0x00000000 (Unknown)
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task
*SYSTEM CONFIG*
Model: PowerMac7,2, BootROM 5.1.4f0, 2 processors, PowerPC 970 (2.2), 2 GHz, 5 GB
Graphics: kHW_ATIrv351Item, ATY,RV351, spdisplaysagpdevice, 256 MB
Memory Module: DIMM0/J11, 256 MB, DDR SDRAM, PC3200U-30330
Memory Module: DIMM1/J12, 256 MB, DDR SDRAM, PC3200U-30330
Memory Module: DIMM2/J13, 256 MB, DDR SDRAM, PC3200U-30330
Memory Module: DIMM3/J14, 256 MB, DDR SDRAM, PC3200U-30330
Memory Module: DIMM4/J41, 1 GB, DDR SDRAM, PC3200U-30330
Memory Module: DIMM5/J42, 1 GB, DDR SDRAM, PC3200U-30330
Memory Module: DIMM6/J43, 1 GB, DDR SDRAM, PC3200U-30330
Memory Module: DIMM7/J44, 1 GB, DDR SDRAM, PC3200U-30330
Modem: MicroDash, UCJ, V.92, 1.0F, APPLE VERSION 2.6.7
Network Service: Built-in Ethernet, Ethernet, en0
PCI Card: firewire, ieee1394, SLOT-3
Serial ATA Device: ST3500630AS, 465.76 GB
Serial ATA Device: ST3500630AS, 465.76 GB
Parallel ATA Device: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-106D, 7.51 GB
USB Device: hub_device, (null) mA
USB Device: EPSON Scanner, (null) mA
USB Device: deskjet 5550, (null) mA
USB Device: Hub in Apple Extended USB Keyboard, (null) mA
USB Device: Apple Optical USB Mouse, (null) mA
USB Device: Apple Extended USB Keyboard, (null) mA
USB Device: USB Receiver, (null) mA
FireWire Device: iLINK DRIVE, SONY, 400mbit_speed
FireWire Device: unknown_device, unknown_value, unknown_speed
thanks!
Message was edited by: Moderator

I have no idea what could have caused the kernel panic, how to read a back-trace, or why the problem may have corrected itself after an option-key reboot.
However, in an unrelated topic, this statement raises some concerns:
..."ran diskwarrior 4.1, it found 33% out of order and fixed most - still are some problems with SUID files, that i understand may not be problems"...
I have never used "DiskWarrior" so am not familiar with details of the versions, but if permissions were repaired while booted from the "Disk Warrior" disk (which I assume was done since the system was described as unbootable from the drive) and if the OS contained on that disk was 10.4, and if the system on the hard drive was upgraded to 10.5 from an earlier version, then it is likely that "DiskWarrior" has reset the system's permissions to 10.4 values, which are incompatible with 10.5.
Furthermore, if the SUID messages appeared as a result of such an action, "repair permissions" in 10.5 will not repair them, and the messages do not fall into the category of those that should be ignored, potentially indicating that the system is in a state with security issues. Those familiar with the command line may be able to manually correct the permissions, but otherwise, an "archive and install" is likely the only recourse.
from:
http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/support.html
..."Note: If you have used any utility to repair permissions of a Leopard startup disk while started from Mac OS X 10.4 or earlier, Alsoft recommends that you perform an upgrade install of Leopard over your existing Leopard install. This will restore any changed permissions to their original values without altering your data."...

When starting up my iMac with Option Key held down, my recovery partition shows 10.9 instead of 10.10. How do I install the correct recovery partition?

iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011)
Yosemite 10.10.1
When I start up my iMac with option key held down, the recovery partition is shown as 10.9 instead of 10.10 which is the installed version.
How do I install the proper recovery partition?

Thanks very much for the quick reply. I figured it would something that simple. Like I said, I only know enough to cause trouble. LOL
Thanks again, Guess I need to find a new game to play. LOL

I did force shutdown on my MacBook Pro (2006 year, 15.4"), so, when I tried to boot, it shows apple logo (as usual) and shuts down. When I booting MacBook with Option key pressed it shows lock icon and field for password. Please help me.

I did force shutdown on my MacBook Pro (2006 year, 15.4"), so, when I tried to boot, it shows apple logo (as usual) and shuts down. When I booting MacBook with Option key pressed it shows lock icon and field for password. Please help me.

Wait for advice on repairing a damaged filesystem. Forceshutdown stops processs in mid-stream and leaves some parts not-valid.
Do not proceed until you get that avice.

Cannot choose library with option key

Well, guess it's my turn...
Am afraid I've done something stupid.
At current, my most immediate problem is that I cannot choose which Library to open. Even when I press the Option key, iPhoto just opens normally without asking me which Library I want to use.
There are no more photos in it however, as I deleted those.
It's probably best if I explain how I got to this point.
I bought a 2nd hand Powerbook a few weeks ago (PB 12", 768MbRAM, 60GB, cd burner, dvd reader)
Wanted to re install OS as it was 2ndhand and have everything 'new'.
However, by the time I could do this, I had already imported quite a lot of photos and keyworded them. So as part of my backup before Erase&Install, I burnt all these to cd, which came to 3 CD's.
Upon completion of new install, I tried to re import photos. Got the photos double in the library and with no key words. Decided to empty it again and look into a solution later. When checking, when I opened iPhoto from the CD, the key words were there, no problem.
As did not have access with my PB to Internet lately, this took some time.
In the meantime I had to empty my camera (Canon powershot sd100) and therefore down loaded those.
Almost forgot this until I yesterday I finally got round it.
After searching on the discussions, found something similar and tried that: insert CD and then drag the Library to the desk top, with the aim of joining them together there.
It told me there already was a Library (this was the one with the last batch from the camera).
Then burnt these pics/ library as well, with the following result: mixed up key words - its only a few dozen pics though, so this is not a major problem, can reassign key words easily (btw, have delivered a bug report Old Toad :))
When trying to copy Library nr 1 from the discs, it told me "A newer item named 'iPhoto Library" already exists in this location. Do you want to replace it with the older one you are moving?" STOP REPLACE
As I have the new pics that are in there on CD, choose replace.
When finished copying, opened iPhoto with this library (Library 1) with the
option key, and found out the following:
have in the meantime upgrade iPhoto with a newer version...
when I then say yes, upgrade all pics come in nicely, but without the key words... checked, there are no key words on this CD either, so that's normal.
So, went on with 2nd disc (which HAS the key words on the CD).
Had to rename the first one I dragged in, done.
Then just before this 2nd disc finished copying, it tells me 'The operation cannot be completed because an item with the name dir.data already exists.'
Clicked ok, let it finish, then deleted this Library nr 2 again, moved Library nr 1 to a different folder and then repeated dragging Library 2 to the desk top.
No problems this time.
Opened iPhoto with the option key, checked Library No 2, shows ok, including the key words.
Checked back with opening Library no 1. Fine. Then moved and renamed Library no 2 in preparation for dragging disc 3 to the desk top.
After some thought, realised I didn't know how to join the 4 libraries I had by now. Seen how Library no 1 did not have key words, figured I could open with No2, then simply import No1 into no2.
However, could not get No2 to open again.
I now know this is because I renamed and moved it after having opened already another library, but last night I didn't.
Tried to use option key while opening, but this didn't work, it did not ask me to choose a Library, but just opened with No1!
To try to solve it, tried deleting No1 from Finder, then from Library in iPhoto, even emptied the Trash (I felt secure because I have it all on CD).
Then I tried again to open Library No2 while using the Option key when opening iPhoto. No chance to choose library again.
It just opens, shows "loading photos" and then comes up with a black screen.
Tried to delete iPhoto and re install it.
No difference. The new install even has the key words I created in it ea

Hi Marlies,
So basically what you have are 4 libraries with different names all in the Pictures folder.
You want to join the libraries to create one library.
Problem: iPhoto is being a jerk and not letting you choose a library, even after you have chose each of the libraries before and they all worked.
Possible solution: Delete the Preference file and try again
Preference file
Possible solution: Download iPhoto Library Manager to mage the 4 libraries or even merge them
iPhoto Library Manager
iPhoto Library Manager documentation
this page will show you everything you can do with iPhoto Library Manager.
You can also try iPhoto Buddy
Possible solution: You can open one library and then use the menu command "add to library" .
So you open one library, then use the "add to library" command and then navigate to one of the libraries and choose it. Do this for each of the libraries. What will happen when you do this is outlined on Page 2
iPhoto Help
iPhoto Help 2

PART 2 - cannot choose library with option key

Sorry everybody, must have been too long.
Here is the rest of it:
No difference. The new install even has the key words I created in it earlier.
I hope there is somebody out there with the patience to read through this whole tale and then maybe even has a solution for me to!
So in short:
- why does the option key not work any more
- is there a solution for it
- once that is fixed, how do I merge Libraries (1+2 is no problem, but how to add 3 and the camera batch without loosing key words, although to be honest, after all this just re assigning the key words seems a piece of cake)
Marlies

Hi Marlies,
So basically what you have are 4 libraries with different names all in the Pictures folder.
You want to join the libraries to create one library.
Problem: iPhoto is being a jerk and not letting you choose a library, even after you have chose each of the libraries before and they all worked.
Possible solution: Delete the Preference file and try again
Preference file
Possible solution: Download iPhoto Library Manager to mage the 4 libraries or even merge them
iPhoto Library Manager
iPhoto Library Manager documentation
this page will show you everything you can do with iPhoto Library Manager.
You can also try iPhoto Buddy
Possible solution: You can open one library and then use the menu command "add to library" .
So you open one library, then use the "add to library" command and then navigate to one of the libraries and choose it. Do this for each of the libraries. What will happen when you do this is outlined on Page 2
iPhoto Help
iPhoto Help 2

Bootcamp volume selectable in Startup Disk but won't boot. Bootcamp not visible with Option Key

My bootcamp volume is selectable in Startup Disk System Preference, but Windows 7 will not boot stating no bootable volume. The Bootcamp volume does not appear when option key held down during startup. Windows 7 booted fine before I booted into MacOS. When I tried to reboot in Windows 7, that's when I received the non-bootable error. All looks fine on the Windows 7 volume.
I'm working with a Macbook Pro Early 2008, 256 GB SSD, Windows 7 and the Boot Camp Support Software 4.0.4033.
I tried to re-install Windows 7 on its 32 GB partition, however Windows reported volume is not in proper format???
I tried repairing my Windows 7 volume with my install disk, but apparentl after having to update my initial Windows 7 instalation (disk bought in 2009) about 3 or 4 times, my Windows 7 install disk reports it cannot repair the now updated version of Windows 7 on my hard drive. Lovely. Brilliant engineering.
I looked into editing my partition table, but that process appears more a hack/bandaid for the underlying problem that more than likely still exists.
Any suggestions, other than painfully starting from the beginning???
Thanks.

Well, want to rule out drive case,, as those do come up with EVERY new OS, just hit Lion 10.7 forum when it came out, or when 10.6.0 came out 3 yrs ago.
Maybe the power adapter is the weak link.
As I said, and goes back yrs, not a fan of FW/USB/eSATA case from major vendors (LaCie, WD, Seagate etc).
And you could try another case. Be sure to buy a case that lets you swap in your own hard drives though.
http://www.macsales.com/firewire - look for bare drive case "0" capacity hard drive

Startup with option key doesnt work; now I'm stuck a startup cd

Background: I wanted to defrag my hard drive. I tried to start up from a Norton SystemsWorks cd (using the option key). That didn't work, so I (stupidly!!!!) used the control panel to change the startup disk to the Norton CD.
Result:
1) I'm stuck. I cannot reboot from the hard drive or an external drive. The Norton CD has become a permanent default for startup. Under Norton, there is no access to the startup control panel. I cannot override it. Starting up using the option key doesn't work, nor do any other startup keystrokes I've tried. The CD overrides everything.
I cannot eject the CD. Tried holding down the mouse key and everything else I could think of, but those tricks don't seem to work when the disk is in use--which it always is because it's the startup disk.
Most annoying: The flat screen G4 has no manual mechanism for ejecting the CD!!! (ie, no little hole to inert a paper clip).
Any suggestions before I reach for a hammer?

Have you looked at this?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh1750.html
Once you get this disk ejected, don't ever ever use any Norton maintenance utility on a Mac! It's an almost universally held opinion of users here.
Regards,
Steve M.

System Preferences Startup Disk Vs. Boot with Option key depressed.

External FW drive connected via standard 400 FW cable, is recognized by System Preferences>Startup Disk, proving that it contains a valid OS X system. But when selected, and clicking Restart, first in the System Preferences>Startup Disk window, then in the modal dialogue, the computer beeps, but does not restart. Same behavior when the computer's internal drive is selected.
The only way to select a startup disk is booting the computer (select Restart from Apple Menu) holding the Option key, clicking the required icon, and then clicking the arrow at the right end of the window.
I have run DiskWarrior, zapped the PRAM (that should take care of startup settings), no change.
Sum up: System Preferences>Startup Disk does not perform.
Powerbook PPC.

Charly,
there might be a timing problem. At the time when the Mac PRAM asks for the startup disk the firewire disk might not be "present" yet. Can you turn on the external disk manually?
Does the preference pane "remember" your selection of the startup disk or does it change it back to the internal disk?
You might want to run some system maintenance, especially clean the caches: Mac OS X 10.3/10.4: System maintenance
If this answered your question please consider granting some stars: Why reward points?

Cannot Adjust Screen Brightness with Fn Keys on New L540 (8.1 x64)

Hello everyone. I just purchased a new L540 with Windows 8.1 x64 on it and have run into a problem I'm seeing is apparently common. While my other Fn keys work as intended, I cannot adjust screen brightness with them. Pressing the buttons just does nothing and the laptop is running at full brightness at all times, even when on the battery. I have installed the latest Power Management Driver and from what I can tell, there is no version of the Power Management Software for anything newer than Windows 7. I also have installed the latest Hotkey driver (in fact, I've installed all the latest drivers for this machine.) I read in another thread that this can be caused by the latest HD Graphics driver from Intel but I actually can't even install that driver (says my system is not supported) so I am still using the latest Lenovo provided driver.
Can anyone please assist with this? I want to be able to quickly adjust screen brightness when on battery but I can't do that at present. Thanks!
Solved!
Go to Solution.

I have the same problem with my L540. It started with the update of the BIOS to version 1.65. Because I didn't find a solution, I went back to BIOS version 1.64, where all the brightness options are there and work properly.
You can download older versions. When on the page with the new drivers (http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS037285) go to BIOS Driver 1.65, then choose "learn more". At the end of the following page you'll see all the older versions.
That you can install version 1.64, you have to change the "Secure RollBack Prevention" Option in the BIOS: Restart the Computer. When you see the option "To interrupt normal startup, press Enter", press Enter. Press once again Enter. Press F1 to enter the BIOS Setup Utility. Choose "Security" -> then "UEFI Bios Update Option" -> then "Secure RollBack Prevention". Change this option to "Disabled". Then press F10 to save configuration changes and exit.
After restarting Windows you can install BIOS 1.64.
Another possibility is to wait for the next BIOS version ....

Updated to Tiger, stuck on grey screen BUT boots fine with option key

I've searched the forum and found many other similar threads. But no real answers for my particular problem. Here it is. iMac 800 MHz G4, 512 RAM was on 10.3.9. Updated to 10.4.5. Then booted from a firewire hard drive and fixed permissions and ran Disk Warrior. Now when I try to boot up normally it just stays on a blank grey screen. No Apple logo. No spinning wheel, nothing. Weird thing is it boots up fine if I hold down the option key at start up and select the hard drive. So, I've done that and repaired permissions and run disk utility. Says everything is OK. Even zapped the PRAM. But still, only way to get it to boot is by holding option key and choosing hard drive. Any ideas?

Hi Steve, What other start up options are you seeing when you boot with the 'Option' key? Have you tried a 'Safe Boot"? Hold down the 'Shift' key while restarting until (hopefully) you see the spinning gear wheel. Wait while it restarts, this takes a lot longer. If you can boot into 'Safe mode' then in System Preferences>System>Start up disk, make sure that your hard drive is selected.
If you can't boot into 'Safe mode' (you should be able to) then when you have booted with the 'Option' key, follow the 'System Preferences' advice above. Select your hard drive & 'Restart'.
Also have a look at
Dr Smoke's Troubleshooting Startup and Login Items.
For future reference, bookmark his X-Lab home page. There is a wealth of helpful information. Obviously he'd like you buy his 'Troubleshooting' e-Book, but there's loads there for free.
As Dr Smoke would say: "Good luck! "
Have fun too!
An  a day...
Adrian
ibook G4: 768mb, iMac 17" G4:768mb (10.3.9) Mac OS X (10.4.4) Belkin Wireless F5D7632

Make startup manager load by default on startup (rather than option key)

I have a macbook pro 13' (late 2010 version) i am running Lion and i have windows 7 proffesional using boot camp.
When i boot up my mac it loads Lion by default.
I understand that to switch between the two i have to hold the option key on startup, i am then prompted for my password, and after entering it i get to the startup manager which displays the startup disks available.
I would like to know if there is a way of getting my mac to run the startup manager (with password) by default when i boot it, rather than choose one of the installed os.
Thanks in advance.
Gaz

No. However, you can install a third-party bootloader if you're willing to try it: rEFIt.
If you do this then you need to know that Boot Camp Assistant will no longer be able to manage the Windows partition.

OSX No Longer Default Boot - Have To Boot With "Option" Key

I tried to dual boot my Macbook Pro Retina 15" (running Mavericks 10.9.5) with Windows 8.1 Pro using mac's "Boot Camp Assistant".
Everything went fine until I entered the Windows Set-Up and then had to cancel it (because I can't find my Product Key). Thats fine, I was just trying out the dual-boot feature - I don't care if I cannot get Windows to work.
PROBLEM: Now, every time I restart my computer, I have to do it while holding the Option key, or else I get the message: No bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key
When I hold the Option key, I only have the option to boot into the regular Mac OSX, so Im not sure why it is not booting into by default.
I re-partitioned my HD to not have the Windows partition on it at all, and when I go back into Boot Camp Assistant I do not have the option to "remove Windows partition", but I still have to hold the Option key when I turn on my Mac to actually boot into my OSX.
Basically, how do I make OSX my default boot like it was before (as it is the only one on the HD)?
Thanks!

Yea, that's the disk that you are supposed to select as startup disk as it contains files that boots your OS X
recovery partition usually has the word RECOVERY labeled on the recovery partition along OS X it's usually labelled
something like 'OSX RECOVERY'
Good Luck Mate!

Cannot choose startup disc with option key

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