Credit : Unsplash / TheRegistri

What is PRAM?

You may be familiar with Random Access Memory (RAM), sometimes known as RAM. Memory should not be mistaken with your computer’s storage (space on the hard drive), as RAM comprises of computer chips that hold active apps and processes. When you open an application, you instruct the computer to load it from the hard drive into the RAM. Once the application is closed, it exits RAM and makes space for other applications.

RAM can also be utilised to store system configurations. How does your computer remember the current time, display brightness, and system volume? This is the PRAM, which stores system information even when the computer is shut down. PRAM is the abbreviation for Parameter Random Access Memory, and it stores information on your startup disc, display resolution, and speaker level, among other things. PRAM, unlike other forms of RAM, is not reset when the machine is powered off. This is due to the fact that a small battery is placed, which retains the data when the computer is off.

What is NVRAM?

NVRAM is the updated word for PRAM on Macs and is an abbreviation for Non-Volatile RAM. Since NVRAM is non-volatile, the settings do not alter when the computer is turned off or the power is disconnected. In terms of troubleshooting, resetting NVRAM or PRAM on a Mac accomplishes the same thing.

Hence, we can say Resetting PRAM = NVRAM Reset on a mac.

When Do You Need To Reset PRAM?

By resetting the PRAM/NVRAM, information regarding startup discs and device connections, such as MIDI devices and audio interfaces, will be deleted. What are the actual situations that you need to do PRAM Reset on Your Mac?

• Your mac does not boot Up correctly
• Devices are not showing up on your mac
• Monitors connected are not displaying correctly on your mac
• Internal and external hard drives are not connecting to your mac properly (Afraid Of losing your data on your mac, we have an article that covers 4 Best ways to backup your data on your mac)
• Something wrong with your bluetooth connection to your mac
• Date and time has gone haywire

How to Reset PRAM or NVRAM?

There are multiple ways to reset the NVRAM if you determine that doing so could fix your problem. The most frequent way involves pressing and holding a few keys while turning on a Mac.

Method 1 : Startup Command

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Press the power button on your Mac once and simultaneously press and hold ⌘ + option + P + R.
3. Hold the keys until your Mac restarts for a second time. When older Macs resume, the chime will play. On more recent Macs, the Apple logo will briefly appear before disappearing.

Method 2 : Reset PRAM via Terminal

Follow the procedures below if you do not have a wired keyboard, or connect one and utilise Method 1. Or if you like to do things differently, you may follow method 2.

1. Close all applications and launch Terminal (Finder > Applications > Terminal).
2. Enter sudo nvram -c followed by the Enter key. Enter the Administrator password, then press the Enter key.
3. Enter sudo shutdown -r now and press the Enter key. The computer will now restart, and that’s all there is to it!