When the Mac is crazy, good advice is often expensive. But before you start dismantling your job and dragging it to the Apple Store, you should first take a look at the so-called PRAM (Parameter Random Access Memory) or NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory): This usually runs well in the background with and is responsible for system functions below the operating system. However, crashes or shutdown errors can throw it out of sync, which can cause a variety of strange behaviors in the Mac.
What is the PRAM for?
The PRAM or NVRAM stores configuration snippets that make sense before the operating system is actually started. If an error occurs here, it may lead to strange behavior of the Mac system. For example, the Mac stores the following values in this memory:
- Boot drive
- Mouse speed
- Loudspeaker volume
- Keyboard and mouse information
- Screen resolution
- and many more small basic settings.
A PRAM reset is always useful if the Mac is behaving "strangely", for example showing strange screen resolutions, regularly crashing during certain actions or apparently taking forever to start. After the reset, the default values are set: So test whether everything works as it should again. Otherwise, you should try an SMC reset
PRAM reset: this is how it works
To perform a PRAM reset on the Mac, you don't need a lot of prior knowledge: Apple designed the system in such a way that a reset is child's play:
- Shut down the Mac.
- Turn the Mac back on.
- Immediately after switching on, hold down the key combination [cmd] + [option] + [P] + [R] until the Mac restarts.
- With older models, the start gong can be heard a second time. This is missing on newer models, instead you will see the apple a second time.
- You can now let go of the buttons: the PRAM is reset and the Mac starts up normally.
