2009 MacBook Pro Alway boots in Safe Mode after RAM and SSD upgrade.

Hello,


I recently upgraded my 2009 MacBook Pro. I replaced RAM from 2GB to 8GB and replaced the drive with the SSD. I reinstalled OS (High Sierra) and everything was working OK. (I verified that I installed compatible RAM).


After couple of days the laptop started booting in Safe Mode only. I tried resetting NVRAM and PRAM to no avail. I also noticed that left Shift key stopped working.


I tried reinstalling OS several time and the only way I could normally boot if I hold "Command (⌘), Option, P, and R" or "Command (⌘), Option, Rt Shift" after pressing the power button.


Left Shift key with external keyboard works.


Any ideas what can I do here?


Thanks

Posted on Feb 26, 2020 5:02 PM

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6 replies

Feb 27, 2020 8:09 AM in response to suppafreak

suppafreak wrote:

concerned with Book booting in Safe Mode issue.


You can reset this from the Terminal.app for a normal reboot, to enter the command line, copy and paste:

sudo nvram boot-args="" ; sudo reboot


please note: your psswd will not echo on screen, type it in anyway.

also to execute the command you press the enter/return key like anything else to make it go.


please post back your success or failure.




Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app

Terminal User Guide for Mac - Apple Support



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Feb 27, 2020 8:59 AM in response to suppafreak

suppafreak wrote:

Thanks you, but it still boots in Safe Mode.


Boot into Recovery (Command R) and from the dropdown menu: Utilities>  Disk Utility> run the First Aid on your Macintosh HD (and the "Macintosh HD-Data" volume as well if Catalina) If errors are found and repaired, run again until no errors reported.


While in Recovery, quit the ** and from Utilities/Tools try running the command again, you will have to type exactly as the printed from above—you will have no access to "copy and paste. "


You can practice before hand in your "normal" boot up situation as it stands. Knocking off the trailing part of the command < ; sudo reboot> so as not to reboot. The Terminal will tell you if you borked the command line, no harm there—


2 example of miss typed dialog:

MacBook-Pro ~ % sudo nvram boot-args                 

Password:

boot-args

MacBook-Pro ~ % sudo nvram boot -args

nvram: Error getting variable - 'boot': (iokit/common) data was not found

MacBook-Pro ~ % 


No dialog from terminal then it was a valid command line and you can proceed with confidence you are manually type it correctly. Proceed to Recovery to do the First Aid, then the next step as indicated above opening the Terminal window.


sudo nvram boot-args="" ; sudo reboot




If no resolve on this boot up—


The next step would be to reinstall the macOS on top of your existing macOS, you have choices here—you want to preserver your user data.

How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904


If that fails to resolve your issue take it in—In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/




always advised to have backup in the event you have to restore your user data.



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2009 MacBook Pro Alway boots in Safe Mode after RAM and SSD upgrade.

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