VFX Computing, Inc.

Mac OS-X Shortcuts / Tips / Tricks

A collection of useful shortcuts. There are many more that are not listed within this document, but these are most useful in determining boot sequences, screen captures, and other useful auditing techniques.

Boot Shortcuts

KeyFunction
CBoot CD-ROM/DVD
DBoot Internal Disk
NAttempt to start up from a compatible network server (NetBoot)
TBoot FireWire Target Disk mode
XForce Mac OS X startup
Command-SStart up in Single-User mode
Command-VStart up in Verbose mode
ShiftSafe Boot mode and temporarily disable login items and non-essential kernel extension files
Option-Command-Shift-DeleteBypass primary startup volume and seek a different startup volume (such as a CD or external disk)

Screen Captures

KeyFunction
Command-Shift-3Take a picture of the screen
Command-Shift-4Take a picture of the selection
Command-Shift-4, then press Control while selectingTake a picture of the screen, place in Clipboard
Command-Shift-4, then SpacebarTake a picture of the selected window