HT201295: Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac

Learn about Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac
nome23
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Frequent PRAM resets

My MacBook Air has required a PRAM reset twice recently. Why is this? What can I do to prevent this?

MacBook Air, iOS 8.1

Posted on Dec 8, 2014 9:52 PM

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nome23

Q: Frequent PRAM resets

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Cunnla,

    Cunnla Cunnla Dec 8, 2014 10:30 PM in response to nome23
    Level 4 (1,997 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 8, 2014 10:30 PM in response to nome23

    Can you give more details, such as what happened to make you think it needed a PRAM reset?

  • by nome23,

    nome23 nome23 Dec 10, 2014 2:43 PM in response to Cunnla
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 10, 2014 2:43 PM in response to Cunnla

    Hi. I did some research and it was the only thing that would resurrect my computer. It would power up, give a chime and then go no further. After the PRAM reset it sparked into life. However when I leave it overnight, I seem to get the same problem. It has happened 3 times now. Any advice please?

  • by Cunnla,

    Cunnla Cunnla Dec 10, 2014 5:12 PM in response to nome23
    Level 4 (1,997 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 10, 2014 5:12 PM in response to nome23

    Hi,

    It might be a good idea to check your startup disk. If yours is one of the newer Macbook Airs -- that came with OS X Lion or later -- it has a Recovery disk. Start up in Recovery mode by holding down the Command and R keys together.

    You will get a screen like this.

    IMG_0651.jpg

    Select Disk Utility and press Continue. Then Repair your disk and also Repair Permissions. Quit Recovery mode and restart from your startup disk.

    If yours is an MBA that came with OS X 10.6 you will need to use the original install USB stick.

    If nothing improves, try an SMC reset. Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) - Apple Support

    Good luck.