Startup key combinations for Intel Macs
March 25th, 2007 at 2:04OsXDaily posted 11 Startup keys for Intel Macs
Howto boot from CD or DVD:
Press C during startup
Start up from a bootable CD or DVD, such as the Mac OS X Install disc that came with the computer.
Howto run Apple Hardware Test:
Press D during startup
Start up in Apple Hardware Test (AHT), if the Install DVD 1 is in the computer.
Howto Reset NVRAM:
Press Option-Command-P-R until you hear two beeps.
Reset NVRAM
Howto access Startup Manager:
Press Option during startup
Starts into Startup Manager, where you can select a Mac OS X volume to start from. Note: Press N to make the the first bootable Network volume appear as well.
Howto eject devices:
Press Eject, F12, or hold the mouse (/trackpad) button Ejects any removable media, such as an optical disc.
Howto Netboot:
Press N during startup Attempt to start up from a compatible network server (NetBoot).
Howto startup in FireWire Target Mode:
Press T during startup
Start up in FireWire Target Disk mode.
Howto boot in safe mode:
Press Shift during startup
Start up in Safe Boot mode and temporarily disable login items.
Howto verbose boot
Press Command-V during startup
Start up in Verbose mode.
Howto boot Single-User mode:
Press Command-S during startup
Start up in Single-User mode.
Howto netboot:
Press Option-N during startup Start from a NetBoot server using the default boot image.
Thx for that summary.
Source: OSXDaily.com
Tags: aht, apple hardware test, boot, boot from cd, boot from dvd, combinations, eject, firewire, intel, netboot, nvram, osxdaily, safe mode, startup, target mode, verbose boot



February 20th, 2008 at 19:48
[...] Press Shift during startup (more about startup key-combos here) [...]
July 15th, 2010 at 15:05
im not sure y but even after pressing C during startup nothing happen..it only goes to my mac os. where if i hold down option key i can get to start up with window on my imac
i wanna format my mac as i have prob starting up mac.
pls help
July 15th, 2010 at 17:48
@zacus
hold ALT while booting. As a result all bootable devices should be displayed – this includes the Mac OS X Install CD if inserted into the drive.
Best Regards
fidel