Cannot boot into mountain lion after I have set the start volume to CD drive

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Cannot boot into mountain lion after I have set the start volume to CD drive

Previously I need to boot from CD so I have set the start volume to CD drive by pressing command+option+P+R at the same time and change the start up volume to CD drive.

But right now, it can just start from CD but cannot boot into Mac OS (Mountain Lion) which is installed in the hard disk.

I have tried to press command+option+P+R at teh same time during bootup but seems like right now it doesn't recognize this command. I have tried pressing "X" or "option" or spacebar, etc during bootup but still it tries to boot from CD.

Anyway I can change the start volume back to my internal hard disk?

I have even disassembled my iMac and the CD drive to remove the previous CD as well. Then it still tries to boot from CD drive but now saying the device is not bootable and ask me to insert a bootup disk. I then tried to put the Mountain lion installation DVD (I previously created the installation DVD by following the DIY way from this link http://www.cultofmac.com/180925/how-to-make-a-bootable-disk-or-usb-drive-of-os-x -mountain-lion/) there in the drive but it still said the device is not bootable.

I have disassembled my iMac again to remove the mountain lion disk right now. So the CD drive is now empty. Anyway I can change the start volume back to my internal hard disk?

This is really frustrating .. Hope someone can help.

thanks!

Posted on Dec 13, 2012 9:54 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

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Dec 13, 2012 10:00 PM in response to chris3388

Hold the Option or alt key at bootup to see your boot choices.

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Answer 2

chris3388 Author

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Dec 13, 2012 10:08 PM in response to BDAqua

I have tried holding Option or alt key at bootup already. But nothing happens and it still tries to boot from CD.

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Answer 3

chris3388 Author

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Dec 14, 2012 8:47 PM in response to chris3388

Any ideas? This is very frustrating.

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Answer 4

BDAqua

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Dec 14, 2012 8:53 PM in response to chris3388

Have you ejected the CD/DVD by holding mouse button on bootup?

Have you done a PRAM reset, CMD+Option+p+r...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

In fact, do 3 in a row, takes a bit of time.

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

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Answer 5

chris3388 Author

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Dec 14, 2012 9:12 PM in response to BDAqua

Resetting the SMC for Mac Pro, Intel-based iMac, Intel-based Mac mini, or Intel-based Xserve

Shut down the computer.
Unplug the computer's power cord.
Wait fifteen seconds.
Attach the computer's power cord.
Wait five seconds, then press the power button to turn on the computer.

Not too sure wht it means. So just shutdown the computer and turn it on again can reset the SMC? I think i have done this many times in these few days already ..

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Answer 6

BDAqua

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Dec 14, 2012 9:44 PM in response to chris3388

Did you remove the power plug & all peripherals?

When that's done, hold the power button in for 15 seconds before plugging the power cord back in.

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Answer 7

chris3388 Author

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Dec 14, 2012 10:09 PM in response to BDAqua

still no lucks..

i have pressed the power button for 15 secs before plugging the power cord.. then click power button to turn it on again.. but it's still trying to boot from CD.

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Answer 8

BDAqua

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Dec 14, 2012 10:15 PM in response to chris3388

Is there something in the CD drive?

What OS is it booting into from the DD/DVD?

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Answer 9

chris3388 Author

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Dec 14, 2012 10:17 PM in response to BDAqua

i have removed the CD already ..

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Answer 10

BDAqua

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Dec 14, 2012 10:57 PM in response to chris3388

If you have a bootable CD/DVD, try booting it in & letting it boot from it.

1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.

2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Utilities from the Installer menu at the top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)

Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Utilities.

See if Starup Disk s an option?

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Answer 11

chris3388 Author

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Dec 14, 2012 11:32 PM in response to BDAqua

As mentioned previously, I have made a mountain lion startup disk before in DIY way. I have put in the disk and tried before but seems like it is not bootable..

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Answer 12

BDAqua

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Dec 14, 2012 11:58 PM in response to chris3388

How exactly did you make it?

Any other Istall Discs like 10.6.x?

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Answer 13

chris3388 Author

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Dec 15, 2012 12:00 AM in response to BDAqua

I have tried with the disc of 10.5.4 as well. But still no luck.

I made the disc by following

the DIY way from this link http://www.cultofmac.com/180925/how-to-make-a-bootable-disk-or-usb-drive-of-os-x -mountain-lion/

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Answer 14

BDAqua

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Dec 15, 2012 12:06 AM in response to chris3388

When booting from the 10.5.4 Disc, did you see if Startup disk was an option under Utilities at the top of the screen before choosing Install?

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Answer 15

chris3388 Author

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Dec 15, 2012 12:09 AM in response to BDAqua

Seems like the disc is not recognized as a bootable disc.. It just said "the device is not bootable. please insert a bootable CD or DVD and press any key to continue".. something like this.

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