MacBook Pro - boot into Recovery without a working keyboard?
Discussion
Hi all,
If I may consult the resident IT wizards...!
Hypothetically speaking... if the keyboard was not working properly on an old MacBook Pro that the OS has apparently given up on (flashing folder picture when starting up), would the keyboard need to be replaced/fixed before it could be booted into Recovery mode and a new OS downloaded?
I have read a comment online that plugging an external keyboard in would not work, as the keyboard is not recognised prior to the OS booting up, but if the OS can't/won't boot up, then it would appear to be a chicken/egg situation... lol
Or could said borked laptop somehow be connected to another similar model in a way that makes it look like a standalone hard drive?
I suspect the answer would be 'get a new keyboard fitted' but I thought I would ask the questions here in case there is some 1337 solution not found easily on the interwebs! lol
Many thanks in advance for any input offered!
If I may consult the resident IT wizards...!
Hypothetically speaking... if the keyboard was not working properly on an old MacBook Pro that the OS has apparently given up on (flashing folder picture when starting up), would the keyboard need to be replaced/fixed before it could be booted into Recovery mode and a new OS downloaded?
I have read a comment online that plugging an external keyboard in would not work, as the keyboard is not recognised prior to the OS booting up, but if the OS can't/won't boot up, then it would appear to be a chicken/egg situation... lol
Or could said borked laptop somehow be connected to another similar model in a way that makes it look like a standalone hard drive?
I suspect the answer would be 'get a new keyboard fitted' but I thought I would ask the questions here in case there is some 1337 solution not found easily on the interwebs! lol
Many thanks in advance for any input offered!
I think the external keyboard option will depend on the age of the computer, and possibly relates more to wireless keyboards on older devices.
A wired Apple keyboard—and I'm only specifying Apple as you won't know what keys to press on a Windows keyboard—may still work on non–Apple Silicon machines and may be the simplest way to check.
Unfortunately I've not got any non–Apple Silicon devices to hand to try.
A wired Apple keyboard—and I'm only specifying Apple as you won't know what keys to press on a Windows keyboard—may still work on non–Apple Silicon machines and may be the simplest way to check.
Unfortunately I've not got any non–Apple Silicon devices to hand to try.
Edited by mmm-five on Tuesday 21st April 12:29
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