PRAM won't zap?

Question

Level 1

8 points

PRAM won't zap?

Just got this beautiful new 17" Intel Core Duo iMac (early 2006) little over a month ago, and hadn't had any reason to zap the PRAM until recently.

I tried the standard Opt-Cmd-P-R at startup, but it just sits there for a bit and then continues to start up normally; no indicators at all that anything was reset. Looking into it a bit here in the forums, it seems there should be an audible (two chimes?) signal indicating successful PRAM resetting.

Done all the updates, repaired all the permissions, etc. I'm a bit puzzled and becoming concerned there might be something amiss.

iMac Intel (early 2006), Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Jun 15, 2006 10:56 AM

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Answer 1

KimA Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 15, 2006 11:52 AM in response to JMEH

Well, I was hoping to resolve a weird audio problem I was having in Safari, where it kept trying unsuccessfully to connect to my Bluetooth headset, even tho the Sound System PrefPane was set to use the built-in speakers.

The solution to that problem was found here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=519328&tstart=0

Turned out the Audio MIDI Setup output settings had been mysteriously changed from 44100 Hz to 96000 Hz. Changing them back fixed the sound in Safari's Flash playback and I no longer get the "Bluetooth Audio failed" message.

Thanks for the link to the AppleDocs, but those were the instructions I've been following, and still not getting the second startup sound or any indicators that anything was reset.

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Answer 2

KimA Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 15, 2006 1:34 PM in response to mhunter

Yes, I'm holding the keys down from before the first startup chime, all through an extended gray screen (it seems like it is thinking about doing something) and until the Apple logo and spokes. I tried a different USB keyboard (the one from my old B&W G3), and still nothing.

The "Startup key combinations for Intel-based Macs" article here:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303124

says, "Press Option-Command-P-R until you hear two beeps."

I don't hear beeps or chimes or anything.

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Answer 3

mhunter

Level 6

9,191 points

Jun 15, 2006 12:42 PM in response to KimA

Did you keep holding down the 4 keys until you heard the second and third chimes?

You don't just press and release them. You have to press all 4 keys together, and keep holding them down until you hear the 2nd and 3rd chimes.

If the PRAM is not "zapping" when you press and hold the keys down, then you need to get Apple to look at the system.

Expect that you should have to keep holding the keys down for several seconds before you hear the second and third chimes.

If the machine boots completely while you are holding those keys down, then something is wrong.

Are you using a BlueTooth Keyboard? If so, that could be the problem. Try a regular USB keyboard. Sometimes BlueTooth is not recognized until after the system has started-up.

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Answer 4

mhunter

Level 6

9,191 points

Jun 15, 2006 1:41 PM in response to KimA

If it's not zapping the PRAM as it should, then I would call Apple or your local service center to have it looked at.

You don't want to wait until it's out of warranty to figure out what the problem is.

It could be very minor. But, you should make sure that the machine is 100% functional while you still have warranty coverage.

Give them a call, and see if they can offer an explanation or simple fix / repair.

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Answer 5

KimA Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 16, 2006 11:05 AM in response to mhunter

Yeah, I guess that's the next logical step. I was hoping to glean something from the forums here. I've got the AppleCare on it for the next 3 yrs, which has always been worth it in the past (the one time I actually had to use it on my old Tangerine iBook).

Hopefully, it IS something minor, and someone at Apple can enlighten me.

Thanks for the reply.

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Answer 6

KimA Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2008 12:02 PM in response to KimA

By using opposing Option and Command keys (rather than the ones next to each other), along with the P and R keys, I have successfully been able to zap my PRAM.

Seems like a keyboard issue, since I've not experienced this on any other machine.

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Answer 7

JMEH

Level 4

2,482 points

Jun 15, 2006 11:04 AM in response to KimA

Hi KimA - what was your reason for resetting the PRAM?

Here is the LINK to RESET PRAM... Good luck, pay it forward, Rick

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Answer 8

mhunter

Level 6

9,191 points

Jun 16, 2006 11:11 AM in response to KimA

Glad to help.

Let us know what they say.

It would be nice to find out it's something simple.

But, if you post your finding here, then it may help the next person who runs into this problem.

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