Mac OS X in a Nutshell

Name

nvram

Synopsis

nvram [ -p] [-f filename] [ name ] [= value ] ...

Modifies Open Firmware variables, which control the boot-time behavior of your Macintosh. To list all Open Firmware variables, use nvram -p. The Apple Open Firmware page is http://bananajr6000.apple.com.

To change a variable, you must run nvram as root or as the superuser. To set a variable, use variable=value. For example, to configure Mac OS X to boot verbosely, use nvram boot-args=-v. (Booting into Mac OS 9 or earlier will reset this.) The following table lists Open Firmware variables. Some variables use the Open Firmware Device Tree notation (see the technotes available at the Apple Open Firmware page).

Warning

Be careful changing the nvram utility, since incorrect settings can turn a G4 iMac into a $2000 doorstop. If you render your computer unbootable, you can reset Open Firmware by zapping the PRAM. To zap the PRAM, hold down Option-

-P-R as you start the computer, and then release the keys when you hear a second startup chime. (If your two hands are busy holding down the other buttons and you have trouble reaching the power button, remember that you can press it with your nose.)

Options

-f filename

Read the variables to be set from filename, a text file of name=value statements.

-p

Display all Open Firmware variables.

Variable	Description
auto-boot?	The automatic boot settings. If true (the default), Open ...