No Startup KB shortcuts work

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Level 2

195 points

No Startup KB shortcuts work

I am using a Mac Pro with a number of problems at the moment. The problem that is causing me the most grief is that my Mac wired aluminum keyboard does absolutely nothing when I try to use the startup shortcuts. I've looked through the usual sources for "why" the shortcuts don't work, and the keyboard is the most likely culprit. NOTHING budges at startup. So please don't tell me to hold down command-R or command-option to diagnose the problem. Can anybody recommend a better choice of keyboards, or a fix for this one? Is any Apple (or non-Apple) keyboard guaranteed to do the job? I ran into the possibility that a wireless keyboard attached to the computer by a USB-to-Lightning cable will do it, but no Mac Pro I've ever seen has a lightning port.

Mac Pro, macOS 10.13

Posted on Apr 23, 2019 4:15 AM

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Answer 1

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Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

140,219 points

Apr 23, 2019 8:52 AM in response to Birck Cox

It's generally not what keyboard but where it is pugged in that will vex you.

To use startup 'snag-keys' a wired keyboard must be plugged into a USB port directly on the chassis, not on a display or other Hub, because the Hubs come up too late to be effective.

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Answer 2

Birck Cox Author

Level 2

195 points

Apr 24, 2019 10:55 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Dear Grant, Yet again, I have to give you credit for coming up with what should have been obvious to me. I even schlepped the Mac Pro to the local Apple store yesterday, where, of course, the tech had no problem with the KB startup options because the keyboard was plugged into the computer, rather than into a hub. I was ready to order a new keyboard when I read your post, so thanks for the right answer, and for saving me from an unnecessary expense. Fortunately, there were other problems (of my own making) that he was able to sort out, so the trip was still necessary. I'm still mopping up the snipers and stragglers. Thanks again.

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No Startup KB shortcuts work

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