Mac starts as if in MS DOS

Kinneas · Kinneas #1 (**permalink**)

03-22-2012, 07:27 AM

Hi,

For a while now my iMac (2006 model) has been starting up and shutting down in what looks like macs version of MS DOS, I think it is called open firmware, but i may be wrong. I've searched around and not really seen any solutions to this.

I was having some other issues with the mac and had a big clean out of old files and stuff. So I decided to zero(x7) it and start again from Snow Leopard and I'm now running Lion, but it still takes ages to load up and run through this DOS like system every time I start it.

Have I inadvertently turned this on somehow and can it be turn off?

Thanks in advance for your help,
Kinneas

Zoolook · Zoolook #2 (**permalink**)

03-22-2012, 09:51 AM

I think somehow you've activated booting in verbose mode.

Mac OS X: How to start up in single-user or verbose mode

gsahli · gsahli #3 (**permalink**)

03-22-2012, 12:42 PM

Restart and then reset PRAM, by immediately holding command-option-p-r (yes, all 4 at once). If you did it correctly, you'll hear the start gong again.

dobby · dobby #4 (**permalink**)

03-22-2012, 01:55 PM

Run in terminal the command nvram -p .
If see a line with boot_arg v
run the command sudo boot-args=
or sudo su boot-args=
restart you computer directly after the command

vansmith · vansmith #5 (**permalink**)

03-22-2012, 02:07 PM

If it's occurring after reinstall, it sounds like your "s" key might be stuck. If possible, try a different keyboard. If you don't, turn off/unplug your keyboard and try booting the machine.

Kinneas · Kinneas #6 (**permalink**)

03-22-2012, 02:35 PM

Holding command-option-p-r on start up seems to have solved it! Thanks a lot folks, was nothing wrong with per se, it was just annoying. Thanks again

gsahli · gsahli #7 (**permalink**)

03-22-2012, 06:33 PM

Explanation - it seems that command-y changes a setting in the PRAM/NVRAM, which should automatically revert after a complete shutdown.
If it doesn't revert, resetting PRAM does it.

Zoolook #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 24, 2006 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 2,743 Mac Specs: 15" MacBook Pro, i7 2.66Ghz, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD; iPad 32GB, iPhone 3GS	03-22-2012, 09:51 AM I think somehow you've activated booting in verbose mode. Mac OS X: How to start up in single-user or verbose mode In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is stoned to death. - Joan D. Vinge
	QUOTE Thanks

vansmith #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,328 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	03-22-2012, 02:07 PM If it's occurring after reinstall, it sounds like your "s" key might be stuck. If possible, try a different keyboard. If you don't, turn off/unplug your keyboard and try booting the machine. Important Links: Community Guidelines : Use the reputation system if you've been helped. M-F Blog :: Write for the blog :: M-F IRC Channel - Chats every Sunday at 8PM EST.
	QUOTE Thanks

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Mac starts as if in MS DOS

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Kinneas #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 22, 2012 Posts: 2	03-22-2012, 07:27 AM Hi, For a while now my iMac (2006 model) has been starting up and shutting down in what looks like macs version of MS DOS, I think it is called open firmware, but i may be wrong. I've searched around and not really seen any solutions to this. I was having some other issues with the mac and had a big clean out of old files and stuff. So I decided to zero(x7) it and start again from Snow Leopard and I'm now running Lion, but it still takes ages to load up and run through this DOS like system every time I start it. Have I inadvertently turned this on somehow and can it be turn off? Thanks in advance for your help, Kinneas
	QUOTE Thanks

dobby #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 15, 2009 Location: In front of MY MAC OR LINUX BOX Posts: 211 Mac Specs: Mac Pro Workstation Airport Extreme ATV 2 Ipad	03-22-2012, 01:55 PM Run in terminal the command nvram -p . If see a line with boot_arg v run the command sudo boot-args= or sudo su boot-args= restart you computer directly after the command
	QUOTE Thanks

Kinneas #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 22, 2012 Posts: 2	03-22-2012, 02:35 PM Holding command-option-p-r on start up seems to have solved it! Thanks a lot folks, was nothing wrong with per se, it was just annoying. Thanks again
	QUOTE Thanks

gsahli #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 11, 2010 Posts: 880	03-22-2012, 06:33 PM Explanation - it seems that command-y changes a setting in the PRAM/NVRAM, which should automatically revert after a complete shutdown. If it doesn't revert, resetting PRAM does it.
	QUOTE Thanks

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