Mac access problem

[GibboGibbo]

Hi -- I have an old iMac which runs a windows partition. For some time now, to get into the mac operating system (Snow Leopard) I’ve had to go through the procedure of switching on the computer and holding down the mac command key + S key to get into the command prompt, and then typing: mount -uw / followed by exit. This has been working fine, but recently I can no longer get to the command prompt as the computer goes straight into windows (even if I select the mac from the mac-or-windows choice tab window). I’m guessing that it’s possible that at some point I miss-typed the mount -uw / command and kind of locked it into windows. Anyway, if someone could advise me on a fix for this I’d be very grateful.

 

[pigoo3]

When rebooting the computer...maybe try pressing & holding down the "Option" key while it reboots. This usually will give you the option of choosing which OS to boot into. Hopefully your Snow Leopard partition will be one of them.

Nick

 

[GibboGibbo]

Thanks Mick, but unfortunately that doesn't work -- even though I choose the mac OS it still goes straight into windows. Frustrating!

 

[GibboGibbo]

Sorry - Nick!

 

[pigoo3]

Sorry to hear the "Option" key idea while booting doesn't work.

Here's an Apple article you may have seen that explains how to boot back & forth between the macOS & Windows (when both are installed):

Restart your Mac in macOS or Windows - Apple Support

After installing Microsoft Windows on your Intel-based Mac, you can choose whether your Mac starts up in macOS or Windows.

support.apple.com

Unfortunately it seems to suggest the same thing...press the Option key while booting...and select the desired partition.

Nick

 

[MacInWin]

And the Option key needs to be pressed and held down, not just tapped. Hold it down until the options appear.

 

[IWT]

And, again maybe, it requires a wired Keyboard so that the "Hold Down Option Key" will be recognised early on in the reboot process?

Ian

 

[Rod]

Do you use the Mac partition much or is it just a way to access the Windows partition?

 

[GibboGibbo]

I use the Mac partition for running the Logic Pro recording software. And today I tried every combination I could find online for starting up the iMac in some mode or other, but no luck. I even went into Windows --> system --> Bootcamp and selected the option to restart in Mac mode -- but still it opened up in Windows! It seems it really doesn't want to start up in Mac.

 

[ferrarr]

Have you done an NVRAM or SMC reset, or maybe even safe mode boot?

Reset NVRAM - Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac

Rresel SMC - Reset the SMC of your Mac

Safe mode boot - How to use safe mode on your Mac

 

[GibboGibbo]

Thanks, I'll give those things a try.

 

[GibboGibbo]

Hi Bob -- I tried all three of those (more than once) but still it just goes to Windows.

 

[ferrarr]

Are you using a USB keyboard or a wireless keyboard?

 

[IWT]

There are a couple of things that I'd like you to consider:

Firstly, can you go into Disk Utility (DU) and post a screenshot of your hard drive and its partitions.

This may help us understand the exact setup.

Secondly, do you have the original Install DVD of Snow leopard?

And an extra thought - in Post #7, I mentioned that a wired Keyboard may be necessary because the "Hold Down Option Key", or other Key combinations, often require the action to be initiated early in the boot up process and Bluetooth KBs are usually not recognised until later on.

Ian

 

[IWT]

Ah, I see Bob has brought that up as well. My typing is too slow.

Ian

 

[GibboGibbo]

I am using a wired Windows keyboard, which I've been using with the Mac for many years now. I use the Alt key for Option and the Windows key for Command.

Unless accessing the Disk Utility can be done in Windows I won't be able to provide that screenshot, as I can't get into the Mac OS at all at the moment.

Yes, I do have the Snow Leopard installation DVD.

 

[ferrarr]

The Snow Leopard DVD should have a Utilities folder to allow you to fix your system. Insert it and hold option (Alt) to get to the boot options screen.

 

[GibboGibbo]

Sounds good -- I'll give it a try.

 

[IWT]

The Snow Leopard DVD should have a Utilities folder to allow you to fix your system. Insert it and hold option (Alt) to get to the boot options screen.

Exactly what I was getting at, Bob. Thanks for taking it forward.

Ian

 

[GibboGibbo]

Loaded the DVD and went to utilities and selected the Mac OS from the boot options, then restarted -- but it went to Windows again.