MacMost Now 616: Resetting PRAM

A common troubleshooting technique is to reset your PRAM. This will occasionally clear up problems with your Mac. Learn about PRAM, what it is and how to reset it. Also learn about SMC.



Here’s the link to the Apple page explaining how to reset the SMC: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

Comments: 18 Responses to “MacMost Now 616: Resetting PRAM”

    Cyrus Dubash
    12 years ago

    I have a Wireless Keyboard and after some trial and error, this pretty much works, if you get the timing right !

    After a Full Shut Down...Power on the iMac... then wait for the Chime but Press the 4 Keys that Gary stated before the chime goes off.

    So hear chime, then after a second press keys (before chime goes off)

    If you do this correctly, it works fine. So do try it.

    Cyrus !

    Marc Davidson
    12 years ago

    Apple tech rep told me to let it cycle through 7 times before releasing 4 keys.

    Phil
    12 years ago

    OK, where is the link you said you're posting on resetting the PRAM and SMC? Unless I'm missing the obvious, it's not on this page. Please let me know. Thanks.

    mike sanders
    12 years ago

    Have never had a problem with a wireless key board make sure the keys are held down before the restart and continue until second chime. Apparently it makes no difference how many times you do this as it only resets once.
    Useful way to remember keys is CROP, I am getting older and it helps.

    Sharon
    12 years ago

    You mention Snow Leopard and Lion, but is this a good thing to do with Safari?

      12 years ago

      Resetting PRAM is something that affects your whole Mac. It is not specific to a single application.

    Flo
    12 years ago

    I've reseted both of them a while ago due to Apple Tech Support advisory because I had a problem with waking up my Mac but now I've got my Mac encrypted with FileVault2. Do I press the keys when it asks me to enter my admin password or afterwards? It's doesn't seem to work... (MBP mid 2010)

      12 years ago

      You do it way before that. You do it right at the moment of restart, before the screen lights up. And keep holding it until it chimes again.

    Flo
    12 years ago

    Worked perfectly, thank you Gary, really appreciate it!

    David
    12 years ago

    Hey Gary,

    I was wondering if you could do a video expanding on this concept of "cleaning" up your computer. Like I know PC's have defrag and disk cleanups and I was wondering if there was stuff like that to help not only free up space but just make the computer run better and be happier!

    Thanks!

    ~David

      12 years ago

      For the most part, you don't have to do anything. Mac OS X takes care of itself. You can always go through your files and data and see if there is stuff there that you aren't using. Maybe some old iMovie or iDVD projects, things like that. No program can do that for you as it is all based on what you want.

    Marshal
    12 years ago

    How are you Gary? I'm noticing that I cannot come here and not talk to you. lol
    About the SMC, is there any signal that I did it right? In my case I didn't observe the "Note: The LED on the MagSafe power adapter may change states or temporarily turn off when you reset the SMC."
    Thank you one more time Gary.

    Michael forrester
    12 years ago

    I've just reset my pram on my iMac now it just stays on grey apple screen and shuts down after a few seconds , why is this ?

      12 years ago

      Something is wrong. I'd take it to an expert (shop, Apple Store, etc) to have it looked at.

    Jess
    11 years ago

    Hello Gary, I have a macbook pro, i've been trying to reset the pram. The mac enter in a continous loop of restarting. How many times i must listen the sound until release the keys? how i know if i made it right? Thanx

      11 years ago

      You just need to hear it once. Then release the keys.

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