My iMac completely ignores when I hold down alt at boot

[Heeheeriah]

I've tried two wired keyboards, one of them Apple, but it just goes straight to the internal SSD. No options. How do I fix this? It's a 27 inch 2009 model, feel free to move this to 'Early Intel' if needed. Thanks!! x

 

[appltech]

Try to hold it immediately (but not simultaneously or before) right after power button.
Also, quite reasonable will be to reset SMC memory as well as NVRAM (proceed from 4th step)

 

[Heeheeriah]

Try to hold it immediately (but not simultaneously or before) right after power button.
Also, quite reasonable will be to reset SMC memory as well as NVRAM (proceed from 4th step)

Unfortunately it doesn't even seem to detect the keyboard before it's fully booted, therefore it didn't work

 

[Fishrrman]

The "alt" key?
That doesn't appear on any Apple keyboard I've ever seen (in the USA).

Have you tried the "option" key instead?

 

[Heeheeriah]

The "alt" key?
That doesn't appear on any Apple keyboard I've ever seen (in the USA).

Have you tried the "option" key instead?

Really?

 

[Heeheeriah]

The "alt" key?
That doesn't appear on any Apple keyboard I've ever seen (in the USA).

Have you tried the "option" key instead?

alt and option are the same key

 

[PBG4 Dude]

The "alt" key?
That doesn't appear on any Apple keyboard I've ever seen (in the USA).

Have you tried the "option" key instead?

My 2010 and 2012 US-based MBAs both have alt keys. Both of those models released after you joined MacRumors.

 

[Fishrrman]

PBG4 wrote:
"My 2010 and 2012 US-based MBAs both have alt keys. Both of those models released after you joined MacRumors."

OK, I'll take your word for it.
Mac user since 1987, I've never touched a MacBook Air...

 

[YanniDepp]

The "alt" key?
That doesn't appear on any Apple keyboard I've ever seen (in the USA).

Have you tried the "option" key instead?

Is this your first time leaving an unhelpful smart-ass reply?

Take it from someone with experience – it's important to make sure you're right before you hit 'Reply'. Otherwise you just look stupid.

 

[EdwardDhuyvetter]

I've tried two wired keyboards, one of them Apple, but it just goes straight to the internal SSD. No options. How do I fix this? It's a 27 inch 2009 model, feel free to move this to 'Early Intel' if needed. Thanks!! x

did you find the issue?

 

[Chuckeee]

Did you try the alt keys on either sides of the keyboard? Plug the keyboard into a different USB port? Just a shot in the dark.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Is this your first time leaving an unhelpful smart-ass reply?
Take it from someone with experience – it's important to make sure you're right before you hit 'Reply'. Otherwise you just look stupid."

I posted my experience.
That is, in 35 years of using Macs, I've never seen an "alt" key on a USA Mac (Apple-produced) keyboard.

I haven't seen it on 3rd party keyboards for Mac, either -- and I've used 3rd party Mac keyboards for at least 30 years (as well as Apple-produced keyboards).

I've never used a MacBook Air. Only MacBook Pros (and MacBooks, non-air).
Hence, my post 8 above to note my acknowledgement that at least a few Macs had "alt" keys.

If you don't like my postings, take it up with the management.