resetting PRAM without a keyboard?

Question

Level 1

8 points

resetting PRAM without a keyboard?

hi, my audio/headphone jack died on me after 3 years. can anybody tell me if its possible and how to reset the pram without a keyboard? the letter "p" on my usb keyboard hasn't worked for about a year now (other keys also don't work and trust me, there is no way to get them to work) so i can't do a normal pram reset.

Thanks.

p.s. i blame planned obsolescence

imac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Feb 21, 2011 6:51 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,534 points

Feb 21, 2011 8:06 PM in response to illathruz

You need to replace the keyboard. You can easily find them used on Ebay, Craigslist and www.macsales.com sells them too.

Roger

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Answer 2

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Feb 21, 2011 11:21 PM in response to illathruz

If it came with the iMac, call AppleCare and get it replaced. Alternatively, they're only $50 USD: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB110LL/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY The one on my 24" iMac's almost 3 years old and hasn't missed a beat or key.

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,534 points

Feb 21, 2011 11:38 PM in response to baltwo

The OP says he's running 10.5.8, my guess is the computer is older than 3 years and doesn't have AppleCare. For his sake I hope I'm wrong though. BTW my 3.5 year old keyboard is also working perfectly.

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Answer 4

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Feb 21, 2011 11:49 PM in response to rkaufmann87

He does say after 3 years, but might have gotten the APP and is covered. When in doubt, I recommend asking. Apple's been known to be a bit lax on the cutoff date, depending on the circumstances.

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Answer 5

illathruz Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 22, 2011 2:12 AM in response to illathruz

I don't have apple care and thanks for the feedback. here is another question, could cleaning out my computer and reinstalling the leopard operating system substitute for a pram reset? I tried this and my headphone jack is still not working.

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Answer 6

illathruz Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 22, 2011 7:04 AM in response to illathruz

to answer my own question, yes a full clean of your system would involve the PRAM being reset according to the apple care specialist i talked to. as i said before I cleaned out my system and this did not resolve the problem

for any others having the same problem: i have decided to buy a Griffin iMic. it is $25 and will work as a audio in/out device. This beats the $50 apple was going to charge me to tell me that it is a hardware issue and the $300+ cost of replacing the motherboard or whatever... and the hassle of shlepping my computer halfway across town.

for the sake of completeness, to describe what led me to this predicament: i turned off the computer for a couple of days when i went on vacation and it simply stopped working when i turned it back on. others on the internet seemed to have had the same problem.

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Answer 7

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Feb 22, 2011 9:02 AM in response to illathruz

Thanks for the feedback. One note, however, erasing and reinstalling the OS does not reset the PRAM, no matter what someone told you. See these for details: Zap the PRAM and Reset the SMC.

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