TITLE
    Parameter RAM (PRAM): Settings and Resetting Information
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		55940
5/4/94
6/25/98
TOPIC

    Parameter RAM contains user definable system and hardware preferences. Occasionally these preferences become "corrupt" and the Parameter RAM needs to be "reset". Also, a list of what settings are held in Parameter RAM

    This information was provided by Claris Corporation on 16 March 1998, and incorporated into Apple Computer's Tech Info Library.

DISCUSSION

    Parameter RAM (PRAM) stores various bits of information about your Macintosh's configuration, including control panel settings, network options and font information. On Mac Plus machines, you reset this area of memory by unplugging the machine and removing the battery from the back of the computer. On other Macintosh computers, use the following technique depending on the system version:

    System 5.x to 6.0.x - While selecting the Control Panel DA from the Apple menu, hold down the Shift-Command-Option keys. There will be a dialog box asking if you want to reset parameter RAM; click Yes, and restart your machine. Parameter RAM will be reset to the defaults. Restart is necessary to complete this operation. After restarting the computer, you can reset the options you want in the control panel.

    System 7.x - Press Command-Option-P-R while restarting the machine. Hold down the keys as soon as you hear the startup chime (before the "Happy Mac"). When the Macintosh restarts again, you can release the keys.

    After resetting the PRAM, you may need to reset some of the options in the control panels. Macintosh date and time will not need to be reset. Date and time is held in the clock chip.

    Contents of Parameter RAM are as follows:

    Status of AppleTalk:
    AppleTalk On/Off
    LocalTalk/Ethernet
    Serial Port Configuration and Port definition:
    Port A: AppleTalk
    Port B: serial I/O
    Port Speed: (Baud rate 9600, Data bits 8, Parity N, Stop bits 1)
    Alarm clock setting: 12:00:00 am
    Application font: (for Finder) Geneva
    Serial printer location: Printer Port
    Autokey rate: 4
    Autokey delay: 2
    Speaker volume: 3
    Attention (beep) sound: System Beep
    Double-click time: 2
    Caret blink time (insertion point rate): 2
    Mouse scaling (mouse speed): 2
    Startup disk: ID 0
    Menu blink count: 3
    Monitor Depth: 1 bit
    32 Bit addressing: off
    Virtual Memory: off
    Ram Disk: off
    Disk Cache: 32k

Document Information
Product Area: Apple Software
Category: Claris Software
Sub Category: Other Applications


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