Boot Options For Mac Os X

November 9, 2017

Sometimes, Mac won’t boot and prompts blank screen or an audible beep thus restricts you from accessing data stored on it. In such cases, you can troubleshoot problems that result in unbootable Mac. To do that, you have to access boot options where you can use Apple Hardware Test and other Mac repair options.

Boot device selection options in Mac OS X. If you have multiple operating systems installed on your computer, or if you are trying to boot off various utility or other boot disks, you may run into. Restart in OS X from Boot Camp. If you have started up your Mac in Windows using Boot Camp, you can use the Boot Camp system tray to switch your startup disk default back to OS X. In Windows, click the Boot Camp icon in the system tray. From the menu that appears, choose Restart in OS X. Start from OS X. When your Mac powers up, it normally uses the system on its internal hard drive unless you change this behavior by choosing System Preferences@@→Startup Disk. You can also change what your Mac does by holding down the following keys or key combinations during startup. Print these boot option keys, because they’re particularly helpful to have. Shift – Safe Mode. Booting with the shift key depressed starts OS X in Safe Mode with Account.

Here I have listed out various boot options available in Mac OS X, through which you can turn your unbootable Mac to bootable state.

  1. Booting from CD or Bootable Disc
Mac os boot menu

If you want to boot using CD or any other bootable disc, then insert the disk and hold down the C key on your keyboard. It will help you to boot into Mac OS X.

  1. Apple’s Hardware Test

You can access Apple’s Hardware Test while booting from a disc which comes with your computer. Hence, hold down the D key while rebooting which help you to enter Apple Hardware Test.

  1. Reset PRAM and NVRAM

Boot Up Options For Mac Os X

When PRAM and NVRAM gets corrupted, you fail to boot into Mac OS X. Hence, it is better to reset both PRAM and NVRAM. To do so, hold down the Command + Option + P + R keys until Mac restarts and you hear the startup sound for second time. After that, release the keys. It will reset PRAM and NVRAM.

  1. Selecting Bootable Devices

To enter boot screen, hold down Option key. Once you enter boot screen, check for bootable devices and select the one which you want to boot into Mac OS X.

  1. Eject, F12, or Mouse/Trackpad

If you unable to remove discs that are trapped in your optical drive, then restart your Mac by holding Eject key, F12 key, or your mouse or trackpad button.

  1. Network Boot

Hold down the N key while starting Mac to boot from network, in case your setup has compatible network server. If you use Option + N keys, then you can start from a NetBoot server using the default boot image provided.

  1. Target Disk Mode

If you want to recover files from unbootable Mac, then Target Disk Mode boot option is best choice. So, press T while starting Mac to enter Target Disk Mode.

  1. Safe Mode

To enter Safe Mode, hold down the Shift key while rebooting your Mac OS X. This boot option loads only required kernel extensions and disables non-system fonts, all startup items, and login items that are not required.

  1. Verbose Mode

Boot Safe Mode Mac Os X

Using Command + V keys, you can boot your Mac into Verbose Mode. This key combination will show a terminal-like interface during startup. It consists data that is important for booting. And also allows to spot startup problems.

For

Boot Options Mac Os X

  1. Single User Mode

To boot your Mac into Single User Mode, use Command + S keys. In this mode, you can communicate with your computer through text input. This mode helps you to fix startup issues or alter software which prevents startup.

Boot Commands Mac Os X

  1. Lion Recovery Mode

Mac Os Recovery

In case, you have Mac OS X Lion on your computer, then hold down Command + R keys which helps you to load into Lion Recovery Mode.

Macbook Air Startup Options

If you fail to boot into Mac even after using these boot options, then try Remo Mac Recovery and get back your data from unbootable Mac. The tool can also be used to restore a deleted partition on Mac and to recover data from formatted Mac partition.