For some reason (and I'm going to assume this only occured after I hit "software upate" a few weeks back) I can no longer ZAP my PRAM. Tried everything (inclding unplugging peripherals and connected drives) but to no avail. I can NO LONGER zap my PRAM. Any ideas why this occured and how to resolve it?
Quad-Core Intel Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)
The instructions here:
Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379
did not work?
I know how to zap the PRAM, it's just that I CAN'T do this. It no longer works on my Mac. It used to work (and I used to ZAP it periodically) but now I cannot do that. TRYING to zap the PRAM doesn't work, and that is the problem...
What exactly happens when you try? Is there an error message?
If you have a firmware password set, it won't respond to a PRAM reset. Setting a firmware pword requires you to do something; it doesn't happen by itself. But I thought I should mention it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352
Might be the keyboard. Do you have another to try? And try the KB in a different USB port.
Nothing happens, it "bypasses" the PRAM chimes and goes right to the start up (account) screen as if it's not even registering the PRAM action. It USED to work previous to my system software upgrade (I'm assuming that update could be a reason behind this being problematic?) The keyboard is the same the Mac came with (the apple keyboard) so I know the issue can't be the keyboard. As I mentioned, the PRAM action just stopped working...
The keyboard is the same the Mac came with (the apple keyboard) so I know the issue can't be the keyboard.
Means nothing that it's the original KB. One or more of those keys may have suddenly stopped working properly. But to pursue another line of thought, what was the update?
Why are you trying to do a PRAM reset? What's the symptom that's prompting that?
I zap the PRAM every few months especially when things start seeming a little funky. As far I can tell, the P, R, Command an Option buttons are working fine. The update was from 10.5.6 to 10.5.8. I'm thinking that is a probable (not definite) cause?
I don't see what the update would have to do with this, but try applying the 10.5.8 Combo update from Safe Boot (shift key at the chime.)
http://support.apple.com/downloads/Mac_OS_X_10_5_8_Combo_Update
What was getting funky? The PRAM reset should only need to be done very rarely. Otherwise, it's just voodoo.
You can remove the internal PRAM battery for about 10-15 minutes & PRAM will be cleared.
There's not many reasons to zap PRAM, and most of the time it doesn't "fix" any problems.
Check this site https://sites.google.com/site/macpram/mac-pram-nvram-cuda-pmu-battery-tutorialMac PRAM, NVRAM, CUDA/PMU & Battery Tutorial
Cheers, Tom 😉
Hi Scott, i just got the same problem, i just download the upgrade from june from sistem update and the problem solved right in the way, try this dude, and gook luck.
Thanks man, I"ll try this again! 🙂
I am running the most up to date version of Mountain Lion, and we have also notice on about four various Macs that none of them will let us zap the pram. Has the keyboard combo (Command-Option-P-R) changed??
Can't zap the PRAM.
