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spec24
Level 1 Level 1 (2 points)

Q: Command + R on windows keyboard

Is there anyway to be able to use this functionality when restarting the mini to get to the disk utility (holding Command + R while rebooting) if you're using a windwos keyboard?  I remapped the command key to the control key within Lion but apparently when booting it makes no diffrence.

Posted on Feb 1, 2012 6:32 AM

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  • by 6ITManagement,

    6ITManagement Feb 1, 2012 10:23 AM in response to spec24
    Level 1 Level 1 (115 points)
    Feb 1, 2012 10:23 AM in response to spec24

    Try the Windows logo + R or the alt-key, basically try all of the buttons, especially since you've changed the defaults.

    Feb 1, 2012 10:23 AM

  • by spec24,

    spec24 Feb 1, 2012 10:28 AM in response to 6ITManagement
    Level 1 Level 1 (2 points)
    Feb 1, 2012 10:28 AM in response to 6ITManagement

    yeah, the windows button was the first try, but it didn't even work while Lion was booted up.  The only way I could get Command button functionality to work was to set the cntl key to be that.  The alt key does work like the option key.  It appears that those keys are not understood to be remapped (or mapped at all in this case) until after the OS loads.  It seems that without an Apple keyboard this is not possible (unless you're lucky enough to have a windows keyboard that Apple understands the windows key as the command key).

    Feb 1, 2012 10:28 AM

  • by 6ITManagement,

    6ITManagement Feb 1, 2012 10:33 AM in response to spec24
    Level 1 Level 1 (115 points)
    Feb 1, 2012 10:33 AM in response to spec24

    Hmm, would make sense I guess. Why do you need to get to the disk utility anyway?

    Feb 1, 2012 10:33 AM

  • by spec24,

    spec24 Feb 1, 2012 10:36 AM in response to 6ITManagement
    Level 1 Level 1 (2 points)
    Feb 1, 2012 10:36 AM in response to 6ITManagement

    I want to put the mini back to factory settings.

    Feb 1, 2012 10:36 AM

  • by 6ITManagement,

    6ITManagement Feb 1, 2012 10:41 AM in response to spec24
    Level 1 Level 1 (115 points)
    Feb 1, 2012 10:41 AM in response to spec24

    That is not possible using Disk Utility.

    Feb 1, 2012 10:41 AM

  • by spec24,

    spec24 Feb 1, 2012 10:46 AM in response to 6ITManagement
    Level 1 Level 1 (2 points)
    Feb 1, 2012 10:46 AM in response to 6ITManagement

    Sorry, but according to the manual is is the only way to do it (other than an external drive I guess)

     

    Here's another chap attempting it:

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3310482?start=0&tstart=0

    Feb 1, 2012 10:46 AM

  • by 6ITManagement,

    6ITManagement Feb 1, 2012 10:47 AM in response to spec24
    Level 1 Level 1 (115 points)
    Feb 1, 2012 10:47 AM in response to spec24

    Oh I'm very sorry! I did not know about this! I always used the install DVD for it, but you probably bought your Mac with it pre-installed and no DVD included?

    Feb 1, 2012 10:47 AM

  • by spec24,

    spec24 Feb 1, 2012 11:03 AM in response to 6ITManagement
    Level 1 Level 1 (2 points)
    Feb 1, 2012 11:03 AM in response to 6ITManagement

    You got it.  No DVD and no drive!   I guess I'll have to be borrowing a Mac keyboard to do this.  Oh well.  Thanks for the help though!

    Feb 1, 2012 11:03 AM

  • by 6ITManagement,

    6ITManagement Feb 1, 2012 11:05 AM in response to spec24
    Level 1 Level 1 (115 points)
    Feb 1, 2012 11:05 AM in response to spec24

    Yeah, the downpart of those new mac Mini's, I get Apple for moving away from optical media on their Macbook Air, it makes sense, but on a desktop PC, seriously Apple?

    Feb 1, 2012 11:05 AM

  • by aglowlight,

    aglowlight Apr 13, 2012 4:28 PM in response to spec24
    Level 1 Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 13, 2012 4:28 PM in response to spec24

    On my new mac mini I got today I was able to boot to internet recovery by holding the windows key + r while pressing the power button. I installed a new hard drive and didn't have a mac keyboard available. I read someones post above and took another shot at windows key + r and it worked. Reinstalling lion as I type this on my Windows machine. Good look to the OP.

    Apr 13, 2012 4:28 PM

  • by Davidca65,

    Davidca65 Jun 24, 2017 1:38 PM in response to spec24
    Level 1 Level 1 (4 points)
    expertise.desktops
    Desktops
    Jun 24, 2017 1:38 PM in response to spec24

    worked

    Jun 24, 2017 1:38 PM

  • by Author.Author,

    Author.Author Jul 14, 2017 5:36 PM in response to spec24
    Level 1 Level 1 (4 points)
    expertise.icloud
    iCloud
    Jul 14, 2017 5:36 PM in response to spec24

    But if you DO press command + r, what does that do, what will happen? I got a strange call from someone who sounded foreign and told me that there was dubious activity on my computer and that I need to do that, I just stopped him and said I will call Microsoft myself to validate this action. So, what does it do?

    Jul 14, 2017 5:36 PM