Terminal command to reset PRAM?

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Level 4

1,790 points

Terminal command to reset PRAM?

Hello all,

The startup chime on my Mac Pro won't sound.

I've tried resetting the PRAM by restarting with command option P R keys until the thing chimes twice, but no luck on subsequent restarts.

Some other threads have suggested doing the command option P R trick until the chime sounds three or even four times. Done that, but again there is no startup chime on subsequent starts.

Curiously, trying to reset the PRAM like that did not change any preferences at all.

Anyhoo, is it possible to reset the PRAM from the Terminal, and if so, what is the command?

Many thanks,

Dennis

Mac Pro 2.66GHz Quad-core/3GB/640GB. 23" Cinema Display; AirPort;, Mac OS X (10.5.8), MacBook Pro 15" 2.2/4G/120G; LaCie Quadra 500GB; PalmOne Life Drive; Nikon D80.

Posted on Sep 22, 2009 8:28 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

742,067 points

Sep 22, 2009 9:33 PM in response to Dennis Marsden

Issue the following command:

sudo nvram boot-args=”-p -r”

Note that resetting the PRAM will wipe out the contents of the boot-args environment variable, which means the command would need to be reissued each startup.

(47664)

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Answer 2

Dennis Marsden Author

Level 4

1,790 points

Sep 22, 2009 9:52 PM in response to Niel

Thanks Niel, much appreciated, however...

+"Note that resetting the PRAM will wipe out the contents of the boot-args environment variable, which means the command would need to be reissued each startup."+

... as a mere punter I don't have a clue what that means.

Could you (or anyone else) explain it in layman's terms please?

Cheers,

Dennis

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Answer 3

Dennis Marsden Author

Level 4

1,790 points

Sep 25, 2009 5:35 PM in response to Niel

Managed to get the chime back by resetting the SMC.

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