How to partition a Mac hard drive or SSD, or create a APFS volume for more information.) Think of your hard drive as the house, and the partitions as different rooms. A hard drive is typically a single volume, but it is then split up into multiple areas, known as partitions or volumes. They just see the whole drive as one thing. With the above information about zapping the PRAM in mind, you'll be well on your way to making sure your Mac runs as smoothly as possible.Most people don’t really think about their hard drives (well, SSD these days) in terms of partitions. Understanding Zapping The PRAM Can Seem Difficult Hold these keys down until you hear the Mac's startup sound for a second time (the first was after the initial press of the power button).Īs previously mentioned, repeating the steps may work if your issue isn't resolved.Immediately after, press Command, Option, P, and R all at the same time on the keyboard.The process for resetting the PRAM is the same across all devices. If these steps fail to resolve the issue, repeat them one more time. Wait at least 5 seconds and then turn on your Mac.Plug the cord back in after 15 seconds have passed.After 10 seconds, release all of the keys.įor a desktop, follow these instructions:.On the left side of the keyboard, press and hold the Shift, Control, and Option keys while simultaneously holding the power button.And, the process is easier than it sounds. More often than not, these issues are easily fixed by resetting your device's SMC and PRAM. If any of these occur, you can likely resolve them by undergoing. Display and resolution settings change on their own or don't function properly.While similar to SMC issues, PRAM problems have a separate cause. Most of these symptoms are obvious because they directly affect your experience when using the computer. Your computer shuts down at a slow rate.You are unable to connect to any wireless networks.Your laptop's trackpad won't function correctly.Your computer's performance is sluggish.The battery drains at an abnormally fast rate.Your computer's fan is running too loud/often even with low memory usage.If you experience any of the following, you'll know you've got a job on your hands: These vary slightly between the SMC and PRAM. There a few telltale signs that it might be time to take action. This essentially stores information about your control settings and is powered by a battery to ensure that your settings remain the same even if you turn your computer off. This stands for parameter random access memory. It also affects the power supply of your Mac. It's responsible for a number of processes, including the cooling fans, keyboard, and LED lights. The SMC is the system management controller. But, they're not as complicated as you think. These terms may seem confusing to the average computer user.
Let's take a look at everything you need to know about zapping the PRAM and resetting the SMC on your Mac. Not sure where to start? Don't worry, we got you covered. They're praised for their accessibility, aesthetic, and resilience against common malware.īut, there are times where a little routine maintenance is necessary to resolve any slowdown issues you might be experiencing. In the fourth quarter of 2018 alone, over 5 million Mac computers were sold across the world. Mac computers have skyrocketed in popularity over recent years.