Startup holding option key only sometimes works

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Level 1

78 points

Startup holding option key only sometimes works

I have a new 21.5" iMac 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 duo with the small bluetooth keyboard.

When I try to start my computer and hold down the option key so I get the option of booting into Windows or Mac OS, it doesn't always work. Maybe 1 out of 5 times it works. This leads me to believe the keyboard works, sort of. The problem is intermittent.

I do know the trick of holding down the Menu key on the apple remote at startup which works as a work around for the option key.

I just don't understand why holding the option key works sometimes but not always. I've had the computer approx 6 weeks and it used to work every time but not anymore.

iMac 21.5", Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Dec 31, 2009 3:14 PM

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Answer 1

Fortuny

Level 7

21,461 points

Dec 31, 2009 10:20 PM in response to WildBull

Hi WildBull and a happy new year.

Timing is crucial when using the Option/Alt-key, whether Bluetooth keyboard or USB-connected.

I myself had difficulties pressing the key at the right time, so I decided to use rEFIt as Boot-Menu, which gives me 30 seconds to decide which OS to boot.

http://refit.sourceforge.net/

Regards

Stefan

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Answer 2

butlerwm

Level 1

4 points

Jan 1, 2010 7:53 AM in response to WildBull

Hey, WildBull:
I have a Mac Mini and my daughter has a MacPro. I have a G5 USB keyboard, a Logitech hybrid (Mac/PC) USB keyboard and a Microsoft 4000 Ergonomic keyboard; she has a Mac Bluetooth keyboard, a Logitech wireless keyboard, and a Logitech USB keyboard. Between the six keyboards and two computers we learned some interesting things about hardware initialization at boot up.

The Option/Alt keys on the G5 and Microsoft USB keyboards work consistently when connected directly to the Mac's built-in USB ports or through USB hubs. The Logitech hybrid keyboard's Option/Alt only works with the built-in ports. The Bluetooth keyboard is intermittent depending on how quickly Option/Alt is pressed. We found that several, quick presses works more reliably than trying to press once and holding. With the Logitech USB wireless keyboard, Option/Alt never works.

I suspect the problem is related to the order in which Bluetooth is initialized in hardware is a contributing factor. The same thing seems true with the USB wireless on the Logitech keyboard. My suggestion would be if you continue to use your Bluetooth keyboard, rely on the Apple remote for OS switching.

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Answer 3

WildBull Author

Level 1

78 points

Jan 1, 2010 8:31 AM in response to WildBull

Thank you.

This question has been answered. My wife doesn't like the little keyboard anyways. I am going to get a USB keyboard and plug it into one of the computers USB ports and not a hub and the problem should go away.

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Answer 4

Jan 20, 2010 4:06 AM in response to WildBull

I have found that pressing the option key repeatedly on the Bluetooth Keyboard whilst the Mac is booting up will then give you the option of which operating system to boot up with. Again with the Bluetooth Mouse click the button a couple of times to *wake it up* and then you can easily select a drive to boot from.

I hope this helps someone out there!

Good luck

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