Command-Option-Shift-Delete on new Macs: a follow-up
Command-Option-Shift-Delete on new Macs: a follow-up
USB keyboard? Several readers wondered whether the problem was linked to the use of a USB keyboard. We have a split decision so far on this: one reader claimed that using an ADB keyboard with a G3/BW Mac had no effect, while another reader said that doing this allowed the command combo to work.
SCSI Oddly, several readers wrote to say that the command combo does work for them on their G3/BW Macs. However, while it works to bypass the internal drive as the startup device, it does not prevent the startup drive from mounting. Thus, the problem described in the Apple TIL article will remain, even if the command "works." Also, in most reports of the command working, it works to start an alternate SCSI device. This fits with speculation from several readers that the reason the command is no longer effective is that it was mainly designed to work with the SCSI bus, not the IDE bus now standard in Apple's newest Macs.
TIL article to be revised? Finally, Richard Platt received the following reply from Apple on this matter:
"The article is in the process of being reviewed. What it will likely say is that while the key sequence may work, it is not the preferred method of booting from CD and is not supported. All the key sequence does is bypass the startup disk selected in the Startup Disk control panel. If none is selected, the key sequence does nothing. Holding down the C key works every time."