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choreo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 10, 2008
910
357
Midland, TX
I have been trying to reset the NVRAM several times in the past 6 weeks after receiving my 2019 Mac Pro, but it never works as described in this article:

I have even watch YouTube videos showing how the Apple logo flashes off then back on a second time, but that never happens for me? From shutdown, I hit the power button and immediately hold down the Command+Option+P+R and the Mac just appears to start up as normal (Apple logo with progress bar followed by Password login screen). Am I missing something?
 

pollycat

macrumors member
Sep 27, 2004
70
86
Are you doing this using a wireless Apple keyboard?
You could try attaching the keyboard using the USB-C to Lightening cable that comes with the Mac Pro.
 

choreo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 10, 2008
910
357
Midland, TX
Are you doing this using a wireless Apple keyboard?
You could try attaching the keyboard using the USB-C to Lightening cable that comes with the Mac Pro.
I am using the keyboard and cable that came with the Mac Pro - I always have it plugged in to a USB port directly.

One other thing I notice is that when I turn off the keyboard and mouse in the Bluetooth menu, they automatically reconnect wirelessly - so I do not know for sure how the machine is receiving commands - wirelessly or via USB?
 
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cobra521

macrumors 6502
Dec 14, 2016
393
136
FL
Interesting! I don't get the second appearance of the Apple logo either on my 7,1. Maybe it is something related to that particular PC? I have my keyboard wired to the computer directly. I'll try an older model wired Apple keyboard and report back.

OK - back. Turned off the Bluetooth 7,1 keyboard. Plugged in the USB 5,1 keyboard. Tried option+command+p+r. Twice. Same result as with the other keyboard, i.e., the computer appeared to ignore the keypresses and booted as usual.

And there is no firmware password.

Maybe Apple doesn't want us to reset the PRAM?
 
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TrevorR90

macrumors 6502
Oct 1, 2009
379
299
I have a wired logitech keyboard. PRAM reset method works exactly as it should and mac won't bootup until I let go of the keys.

Could be an issue with your keyboard or your particular mac.
 

cobra521

macrumors 6502
Dec 14, 2016
393
136
FL
Trevor, thanks. Are you resetting a 7.1?

I have two genuine apple keyboards, neither of which does what you are saying your aftermarket keyboard does...
 

choreo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 10, 2008
910
357
Midland, TX
Trevor, thanks. Are you resetting a 7.1?

I have two genuine apple keyboards, neither of which does what you are saying your aftermarket keyboard does...
Same here. I have tried (2) Apple wireless keyboards connected via USB - same results.
 

cobra521

macrumors 6502
Dec 14, 2016
393
136
FL
Here's a much easier way if Terminal doesn't intimidate you: nvram -c from the Terminal prompt, then reboot. It seemed to work for me.

I even got my chime back: sudo nvram StartupMute=%00

:cool:

Tom
 
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Dayo

macrumors 68020
Dec 21, 2018
2,257
1,279
Here's a much easier way if Terminal doesn't intimidate you: nvram -c from the Terminal prompt, then reboot.
Nice to know but doesn't address why an expected method, holding down a combination of keys, does not work for the OP.
 

cobra521

macrumors 6502
Dec 14, 2016
393
136
FL
Dayo,

It didn't work for me, either, on the same type of machine, i.e., 7.1.

I put that question on the Apple site's discussion web site and the Terminal answer was the only one I received.

Maybe you could get on there and re-ask that question and solve it for all of us?

Meanwhile, the Terminal method seems to work, and is in practice easier and faster than the keyboard method, so I'm fine with that!

Tom
 

Athraldur

macrumors newbie
Jul 30, 2020
14
10
Just fyi on my MP 7.1 the regular method works easy. I have done that several times during the last weeks and every time without any problems. Furthermore I have done that always with the wireless keyboard.

The only thing on my MP was the right time to push the keys, a bit too early or a bit too late and it won't run the reset progress…

I´ve got that Problem on my MBP with T2 and there it was the Firmware PW that prevents the reset – very bizarre because I thought that I don't set a FW-PW :p
 
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