Macintosh Shortcuts

Apple Menu Command-Option-D - Toggle Dock Hiding On/Off Command-Shift-Q - Logout Finder Menu Command-Shift-Delete - Empty Trash Command-H - Hide Finder File Menu Command-N - New Finder Window Command-Shift-N - New Folder Command-O - Open Command-W - Close Window Command-I - Show Info Command-D - Duplicate Command-L - Make Alias Command-R - Show Original Item Command-T - Add to Favorites Command-Delete - Move Highlighted Item to Trash Command-E - Eject Command-F - Find (Invokes Sherlock) Edit Menu Command-Z - Undo Command-X - Cut Command-C - Copy Command-V - Paste Command-A - Select All

View Menu Command-1 - as Icons Command-2 - as List Command-3 - as Columns Command-B - Minimize Finder Toolbar Command-J - View Options Go Menu Command-[ - Back Command-] - Forward Command-Shift-C - Go to Computer Directory Command-Shift-H - Go to Home Directory Command-Shift-I - Go to your iDisk Command-Shift-F - Go to your Favorites Directory Command-Shift-A - Go to Applications Directory Command-Shift-G - Go to Folder Command-K - Connect to Server Window Command-M - Minimize Window Help Command-? - Mac Help

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Top 10 OSX Shortcuts

Even if you love to use your mouse, knowing a few simple key sequence shortcuts will make your life easier. The following are must-knows for anyone using OS X.

 

Shift + Command+H - This takes you to your Home Directory.

Shift + Command + A - The quick way to get to your Applications Directory.

Shift + Command + F - For when you have a hankering for your Favorites.

Shift + Command + C - This gets you to your Computer's Directory.

Command+W - Closes the open program's window (without quitting out of the program).

Command+M - This minimizes the program window, making it snuggly fit into the Dock.

Command+F - This command calls up Mac OS X's file Find dialog box.

Command+Shift+Delete - This threesome empties your Trash.

Control+Click - Pressing Control+Click when the cursor is on the Dock's white dividing line displays a pop-up menu with the Dock's preferences.

Command+Option+Escape - Allows you to Force Quit a misbehaving application.

Macintosh Shortcuts

Contents

On Boot
After display of Happy Mac icon
As Finder starts
In Finder
On disk mount
After startup
In the sleep/restart dialog
In other dialogs
On keyboards with a function key
Clicks
Control Strip

On Boot

Key Combination	Effect
mouse down	Eject removable media ( I think Boot ROMs prior to 2.4f1 excluded the CD drive )
opt	Bring up OF system picker on New World machines - boot to 9 on pre-New World machines
cmd-period	When OF system picker is active, open the CD tray
cmd-opt	Hold down until 2nd chime, will boot into Mac OS 9 ?
cmd-x (or just x?)	Will boot into Mac OS X if 9 and X are on the same partition and that’s the partition you’re booting from.
cmd-opt-shift-delete	Bypass startup drive and boot from external (or CD). This actually forces the system to NOT load the driver for the default volume, which has the side effect mentioned above. For SCSI devices it searches from highest ID to lowest for a partition with a bootable system. Not sure about IDE drives.
cmd-opt-shift-delete-#	Boot from a specific SCSI ID # (# = SCSI ID number)
cmd-opt-p-r	Zap PRAM. Hold down until second chime.
cmd-opt-n-v	Clear NV RAM. Similar to reset-all in Open Firmware.
cmd-opt-o-f	Boot into open firmware
cmd-opt-t-v	Force Quadra AV machines to use TV as a monitor
cmd-opt-x-o	Boot from ROM (Mac Classic only)
cmd-opt-a-v	Force an AV monitor to be recognized as one
c	Boot from CD. If set to boot to X and no CD is present, may boot to 9.
d	Force the internal hard disk to be the startup device
n	Hold down until Mac logo, will attempt to boot from network server (using BOOTP or TFTP)
r	Force PowerBooks to reset the screen
t	Put FireWire machine into FireWire Target Disk mode
z	Attempt to boot using the devalias zip from first bootable partition found
ctl-cmd-shift-power	Reset power manager (with computer off)
shift	(Classic only) Disable Extensions
shift	(OS X, 10.1.3 and later) Disables login items. Also disables non-essential kernel extensions (safe boot mode)
cmd	(Classic only) Boot with Virtual Memory off
space	(Classic only) Trigger extension manager at boot-up
cmd-v	(OS X only) show console messages during boot
cmd-s	(OS X only) boot into single user mode
cmd-opt-c-i	(Mac IIci only) Set date to 20 Sep 1989 to get a graphical easter egg
cmd-opt-f-x	(Mac IIfx only) Set date to 19 Mar 1990 to get a graphical easter egg
cmd-opt-shift-tab-delete	Erase startup disk under 7.1(?)

Back to Contents

After display of Happy Mac icon

Key Combination	Effect
space	(Classic only) Invoke Extensions Manager
shift	(Classic only) Disable Extensions including MacsBug
shift-opt	(Classic only) Disable exetensions, except MacsBug
ctrl	(Classic only) Break into MacsBug as soon as it is loaded

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As Finder Starts

Key Combination	Effect
cmd-opt	(whenever Classic Finder sees a new disk) Rebuild Desktop
opt	(Mac OS 9) Do not open Finder windows
shift	(Mac OS X) Do not open Finder windows when launching Finder. The windows’ states aren’t changed to closed, as they will be reopened if you reboot again.
shift	(Mac OS 9) Do not launch anything from the "Startup Items" folder.

Back to Contents

In Finder

opt-click close box (or cmd-opt-w)	Close all open finder windows (except popup windows)
cmd-shift-opt-w	Close all open finder windows (including popup windows)
cmd-right arrow	Open folder in list view
cmd-opt-right arrow	Recursively open folder and nested folders in list view
cmd-left arrow	Close folder in list view
cmd-opt-left arrow	Recursively close folder and nested folders in list view
cmd-up arrow	Open parent folder. On Mac OS X, when nothing is selected and no windows are open, open User directory
cmd-opt-up arrow	Open parent folder, closing current folder
cmd-opt-shift-up arrow	Make desktop the active window, select parent volume
cmd-down arrow	Open selected item. On Mac OS X, when nothing is selected and no windows are open, open the desktop folder
cmd-opt-down arrow	Open selected item, closing current folder
opt-click	(In disclosure triangle) expand or collapse all folders within that window
tab	select next icon alphabetically
shift-tab	select previous item alphabetically
cmd-delete	move selection to trash
cmd-shift-delete	empty trash
space	while navigating, opens folder under mouse immediately (with spring-loaded folders enabled)
In Finder Window Menu
cmd-select	Close window
cmd-shift-select	Put away popup window
cmd-opt-select	Expand selected window and close all others
ctl-select	Expand selected window and collapse all others
ctl-opt-select	Activate selected window and expand all others

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On disk mount

cmd-opt	(whenever Classic Finder sees a new disk) Rebuild Desktop
opt	(Mac OS 9) Add session numbers (;1, ;2, etc) to ISO-9660 CD filenames
opt	(Mac OS X) Show each session on an ISO-9660 CD as a volume
cmd-opt-i	Force-mount ISO-9660 partition of a CD, rather than a Mac partition

Back to Contents

After startup

Key Combination	Effect
On machines with a power key
power	Bring up dialog for shutdown, sleep or restart (see next table)
cmd-ctrl-power	Unconditionally reboot (sometimes referred to as “control flower power” to easily remember) (dirty reboot - may corrupt disk)
ctrl-cmd-opt-power	Fast shutdown
cmd-power	Bring up debugger (if debugger installed). Really old macs (mac ii era) needed Paul Mercer’s debugger init to do this, then it got folded into the firmware, around 040 timeframe.
cmd-opt-power	Put late model PowerBooks & Desktops to sleep
cmd-opt-ctrl-power	(PowerBook 500) Reset Power Manager
shift-fn-ctrl-power	(PowerBook G3, G4) Reset Power Manager
On machines without a power key
ctrl-eject	Bring up dialog for shutdown, sleep or restart (see next table)
cmd-ctrl-eject	Unconditionally reboot
ctrl-cmd-opt-eject	Fast shutdown
cmd-eject	Bring up debugger (if debugger installed). Really old macs (mac ii era) needed Paul Mercer’s debugger init to do this, then it got folded into the firmware, around 040 timeframe.
cmd-opt-eject	Put late model PowerBooks & Desktops to sleep
On all machines
cmd-opt-esc	Force quit current app
cmd-shift-0	Put late model PowerBooks & Desktops to sleep No longer work in OS X. On Macs with three floppy drives (Mac SE) they eject the third floppy disk.
cmd-shift-1 or 2	Eject internal or external floppy. Not sure which is which on dual floppy machines (Mac SE, Mac II, etc.)
cmd-shift-3	Screen shot
cmd-shift-4	Abstract user defined area screen shot (hold control while selecting to direct it to the clipboard on Mac OS 9)
cmd-shift-capslock-4	(Classic only) User selectable window screen shot
cmd-ctl-shift-3	Screen shot to clipboard
cmd-ctl-shift-4	Abstract user defined area screen shot to clipboard
cmd-ctl-shift-capslock-4	(Classic only) User selectable window screen shot to clipboard (classic only)
cmd-tab	Switch apps (possible to change key in Mac OS 8-9)
cmd-shift-tab	Switch apps in reverse order
cmd-space	Switch keyboards/script systems (if more than one is installed)
opt-f3, opt-f4 or opt-f5	bring up the system preferences (Mac OS X only - maybe powerbooks only? only if system preferences isn’t already running)
cmd-f1	toggle between video mirroring and extended desktop mode (works on Ti Powerbooks)
cmd-f2	auto-detect a newly-connected display (works on Ti Powerbooks)
f12	Eject CD/DVD (must be held down on 10.1.2 or later). If the device can be dismounted, it is. If not, nothing happens.
f14	dim display (cubes/g4 iMacs/others?)
f15	brighten display (cubes/g4 iMacs/others?)
cmd-ctl-shift-0	Spin down HD (when possible) on machines running OS 9
cmd-`	cycle through current application’s windows (Mac OS X 10.2 only?)
cmd-~	cycle through current application’s windows (reverse order) (Mac OS X 10.2 only?)
opt-"Empty Trash"	Emptry trash without locked file or contents summary alert. Empties locked items, as well
cmd-opt-D	(Mac OS X only) toggle dock
cmd-opt (when opening chooser)	(Mac OS 9 only) rebuild chooser cache of printer driver information
(See Universal Access System Preference for more on following)
cmd-opt-ctl-8	(Mac OS X, 10.2 or later) Turn on "Inverse Mode" via accessbility.
cmd-opt-8	(Mac OS X, 10.2 or later) Turn on "Zoom Mode" via accessbility.
cmd-opt-plus	(Mac OS X, 10.2 or later) Zoom In via accessbility.
cmd-opt-minus	(Mac OS X, 10.2 or later) Zoom Out via accessbility.

Back to Contents

In the sleep/restart dialog

Key	Effect
S	Sleep
R	Restart
esc	cancel
cmd-. (period)	cancel
Return or Enter	Shut Down
Power	Cancel (9.2.x only?)

Back to Contents

In other dialogs

Key	Action
esc	Cancel
command-. (period)	Cancel
enter	Default button
return	Default button (if there are no text fields that use return
cmd-d	Don’t save (in save/cancel/don’t save dialog)
cmd-r	Replace (in "Do you want to replace this file" dialog, Mac OS X only)

Back to Contents

On keyboards with a function key

Key Combination	Effect
fn-backspace	forward delete
fn-left arrow	home
fn-right arrow	end
fn-up arrow	page up
fn-down arrow	page down

Back to Contents

Clicks

click / modifier	Effect
option-click in another application	Switch to that application and hide previous app
cmd-drag (window)	Drag window without bringing it to front (requires application support to work behind dialogs)
cmd-drag (window background)	Pan contents of window with hand (Finder)
cmd-drag (Mac OS X)	Rearrange menu extras
opt-drag (file)	Copy file
cmd-opt-drag (file)	Make alias of file
cmd-click window title	Pop-up menu showing path to current folder/document (in some applications)
option-windowshade	Windowshade all windows of application (classic only)
option-zoom	Zoom window to full-screen
option-yellow	Dock all windows of application (Mac OS X only)
option-green	Zoom window to fill screen (in some applications)
Mac OS X only - items in dock
cmd-click	Reveal in Finder
cmd-opt-click	Activate app and hide other apps
ctl-click (or click and hold)	contextual menu
cmd-drag into dock	Freeze current dock items from moving so icon can be dropped onto an app
cmd-opt-drag into dock	Force application you’re dropping onto to open dropped item

Back to Contents

Control Strip

opt-drag control strip	Move control strip
opt-drag CS module within strip	reorders CS modules
opt-drag CS module to trash	uninstalls a module
opt-drag CS module elsewhere	whatever dragging the module file itself would

Back to Contents

Helpful Keyboard Sequences: to get you out of trouble (sometimes).

Helpful keyboard sequences:

(print these now for future reference!)

Try these in order shown below.

nachiranet

Hold down keys in the first column and press the key(s) in the second column:

	Hold Down:	and press...	what this does:
4.	Command and Option	during startup	rebuilds the Desktop file
5.	Command and Option	P and R during startup	resets the PRAM*

* After resetting your parameter RAM, don't forget to check your date and time, networking, memory and other control panel settings.

There's nothing more frustrating when working offline or online than a crashing computer.

• Computer software can sometimes become damaged or corrupted when your computer crashes.

Let's say you're working in FileMaker and something causes the machine to crash. A number of files can become corrupted, including the System file, the Finder, an extension or control panel, a printer driver or any application you have open at the time.

When you restart, you may or may not see a problem immediately. Hopefully, if there's a problem, you'll see it right away so you will be inclined to recognize that the problem started after you crashed.

This isn't always the case and sometimes people don't notice a problem until months later and have no idea why their computer appears to be randomly crashing all of a sudden. In my experience 99.5% of computer crashing problems are software (not hardware) related.

These problems can usually be fixed with a little patience and some of the troubleshooting techniques below. Also, knowing what to look for can help you communicate your problem to a professional troubleshooter.

Here are some things to start observing every time your machine crashes:

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Q: Does the machine bomb, freeze or hang? If your machine bombs with the annoying 'Sorry a System Error occurred' message, note the ID number in the message. These ID numbers can help someone determine the cause of the crash later. Does the mouse just freeze completely somewhere on the screen or does the mouse still move but isn't able to click on or do anything? These symptoms are helpful in determining a pattern with your problem. Try to remember them and maybe even keep a log about what you were doing when you crashed and any error message or ID numbers. There's usually a pattern around crashing. Since you're the main user of your machine, it helps to be as observant as possible. It's nearly impossible for an outside person to sit down in front of your machine and try to establish a pattern in your crashes over the past weeks or months.

Q: Is the problem repeatable? Does the machine crash every time you do the same thing? Like print or open FileMaker or click a particular button somewhere? These are the easiest problems to fix because you can tell immediately if you're successful. Solutions for repeatable problems include replacing/reinstalling the application you're working in when the machine crashes.

Q: Does the problem always happen in the same application or does the problem seem random and intermittent?

Q Does the problem happen with Extensions off? (see below)

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Helpful hints to get out of sticky situations:

Basic Mac Troubleshooting

Mac Troubleshooting Skills

• Ask "What has changed recently?".
  • Newly installed applications
  • Computer moved from one location to another
  • Files deleted
  • etc...
• Make sure all cables are plugged in and well seated at both ends
  • Power cables
  • ADB cables
  • Network cables
  • Monitor cables
  • SCSI cables
• Zap PRAM
  • Restart and hold down Command+Option+P+R until the computer restarts again
  • Use TechTool
• Rebuild Desktop
  • Restart and hold down Command+Option until the Finder comes up.
  • Use TechTool
• Restart without extensions
  • Restart and hold down Shift until a message comes up that says extensions are disabled.
• Restart from CD-ROM
  • Restart and hold down Command+Shift+Option+Delete or the 'C' key (may not work for all models) until the Happy Mac screen comes up
• Quitting Stubborn Applications
  1. Try Command+. a few times to cancel long operations
  2. Try Command+Q
  3. Force quit with Command+Option+Escape. You should save work in other applications and reboot as soon as possible.
  4. Shutdown or Reboot the computer (see below)
• Shutting down and Rebooting
  1. Choose Restart or Shutdown from the Special menu in the Finder
  2. Force a Reboot with the hardware reset key or Command+Ctrl+Power
  3. Toggle the power switch
  4. Pull the plug and/or remove the battery
• Clean Reinstalltion of System Software
• Disk Repair Utilities
  • Disk First Aid
  • Norton Utilities
  • Mac Tools
  • others
• Extension Conflict Isolation
  • Conflict Catcher
  • do it by hand (use binary search)

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Network Troubleshooting

• Check cables
  • Are the connected properly?
  • Are they the correct type of cable?
• Does AppleTalk work?
  • Are there zones in the Chooser?
  • Is AppleTalk turned on in Chooser?
  • Is correct medium selected in Network or AppleTalk control panel?
• Does TCP/IP work?
  • Do plain IP addresses work (i.e. 171.64.187.14)?
  • Are settings correct in MacTCP or TCP/IP control panel?
• Are other computers affected?

1. Save often! This lessens the impact of an untimely crash.

2.. If an application freezes or hangs you can sometimes force it to quit by pressing Command-Option and Escape. If your machine is still somewhat alive you should see a message asking if you want to force-quit the current application. This may allow you to save unsaved work in other applications. I strongly recommend restarting your computer after any application(s) have been force quit. Continuing work in such a situation is asking for trouble.

3. Restart without Extensions. Hold down the Shift key as your Mac restarts until you see the message 'Welcome to Macintosh-Extensions Off'. Now try to reproduce your crash. If the problem remains, you don't have an extension conflict. If the problem goes away you might have a problem between two or more of your extensions or control panels. Conflict Catcher can be very helpful in isolating the problematic file.

4. Rebuild your Desktop File. This invisible file tells your Mac which application to open when you double-click on a document, and a bunch of other Finder functions. The Desktop file also handles icons, so if your icons start to look weird or like generic application and document icons, it's probably time to rebuild. Hold down Command and Option while starting your Mac until you see a message asking if you want your desktop file rebuilt. Click 'OK'.

5. Zap your parameter RAM (PRAM). The PRAM keeps certain settings in memory all the time (even when your machine is off) such as the time and date, network settings, startup disk, etc. You can force the PRAM to be reset by pressing Command-Option-P-R all at the same time while your machine starts. You should hear a second startup 'boing' if you are successful. I've heard doing this 2 or 3 times is a good idea to really flush out evil PRAM settings.

6. Trash the prefs file. Most applications keep a preferences file in the System Folder: Preferences folder. Sometimes trashing this file will resolve problems. Be careful here-sometimes prefs files contain significant information such as account names, passwords, or important settings.

7. Reinstall problematic applications. Replacing applications with fresh copies from the original disks can sometimes help.

8. Clean install the Operating System. Steps 1 thru 7 above are all ways to buy time and avoid this step. If your problems persist this is probably the best (and definitely most time consuming) way to resolve crashing problems. Doing a clean install means completely reinstalling the operating system, not just running the Apple Installer over your current system. Clean installation involves moving your old fonts, control panels, extensions and prefs files one by one from your old System Folder to the new one. If you use your Mac everyday, it's not unreasonable to expect to need to do this every 6-12 months.

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Network Troubleshooting:

Many network problems can be diagnosed through the Chooser. The Chooser is an extremely helpful troubleshooting tool on Macintosh networks.

When you open the Chooser, you are looking at a live view of your network. If you click on 'LaserWriter' or 'AppleShare', the Chooser sends out traffic on the network asking all PostScript printers or file servers to send back their names.

This is incredibly helpful as you can immediately determine what your machine is connected to. If you don't see any devices (but used to), go to another machine on the network and check to see what they can 'see' in their Chooser. If they see devices (printers, file servers) and you don't, the problem is with your machine.

Most common problems are loose cables or the settings in the 'AppleTalk' or 'Network' control panel being incorrect. If nobody sees anything, the problem is with the network hubs, routers or cabling. Make sure these devices have power or nobody on the network will see anything!

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Reliable Macintosh Troubleshooting Links:

MacInTouch

MacFixIt

Apple's Technical Info Library

Apple Product Specifications Database

System errors and program crashes are sometimes caused by corrupted System Software. Simply running Apple's Installer will not always repair damaged system files. Often, the only way to ensure you have brand-new system software is to Clean Install which replaces all of the Apple software in your System Folder with new copies. I recommend doing this as general maintenance every 4-8 months or whenever a machines begins crashing regularly.

The Apple Installer program looks for two things to determine if your computer has a 'blessed' system folder. First it checks to see if there is a folder with the System and Finder files inside. It also checks to see if there is a folder called 'System Folder'. If neither of these conditions are true, the installer creates a new system folder, which is what performing a 'clean install' is all about.

Step 1: Un-bless your system folder

• Rename your System Folder to anything other than 'System Folder'. 'Fred' or 'blah' works (I usually choose 'Old Sys' so I know what it is).

• Move the System file so it is no longer in the same folder as the Finder file (I usually put the System file in the 'Preferences' folder).

• DO NOT restart your computer! You've just disabled (unblessed) your System Folder and your Mac won't boot again until you install new system software.

• If necessary, use the 'Startup Disk' control panel to tell your computer to start up from a CDROM, Zip drive, etc.

Step 2: Run the Installer

• Run Apple's Installer from your CDROM, or System disks that came with your computer.

• Select the name of your hard drive as the disk to install onto.

• Feed the disks as it asks for them or go have a cup of tea if you're installing from a CD. This takes a while.

• Restart your computer when the installation is successful.

• There will be a newly created 'System Folder' on your hard drive with fresh, clean system software inside.

Step 3: Move/reinstall other software

• Inside your old system folder (renamed as in step 1 above) are many other files which may need to be moved to the new System Folder. These files are in the Extensions, Control Panels, Apple Menu Items, Preferences and Startup Items folders to name a few. Every machine is different depending on what you had installed before you clean installed.

• Start by moving any aliases you had in the Apple Menu Items folder of your 'Old Sys' folder to the Apple Menu Items folder in your new 'System Folder'. The idea here is not to replace any of the new, clean files, just move any extra files you had installed. You don't need to move things like Chooser or Find file-they're already there from the clean install. If you get a dialog box asking if you want to replace something, choose 'Cancel'.

• Move third party extensions and control panels from your 'Old Sys' folder to your new System Folder. Again, don't replace any new files with old, possibly corrupted files.

• Extensions and Control Panels load when you restart. I recommend moving a few extensions or control panels at a time and then restart, rather than just dumping all third party software back into your new System Folder. This helps identify a troublesome file before you've moved 25 or more files and don't know which one is still causing a problem.

• Some software actually needs to be reinstalled from the master disks to work properly.

• Many applications store their settings in the Preferences folder. If a program looses some of its configuration, serial number or settings, move the prefs file from the Preferences folder in 'Old Sys' to the Preferences folder in the new System Folder.

Step 4: Reconfigure settings, etc.

• After clean installing you'll need to re-enter your name in the 'Sharing Setup' control panel and possibly reset your memory settings in the Memory control panel. If you've made other adjustments to your settings in other control panels (such as Monitors, or Sound, etc.), you'll probably need to reconfigure those too.

Since everyone's computer is different, it's hard to list every file to move and setting to reconfigure. Moving all these files can be a time consuming process as there can be quite a few on some computers, but this is the best way to keep your Macintosh happy and reduce the frequency of crashes! Good luck!