Mac OS X 10.3.8 Special Report: iBook G4 F12 key not working

There is a fairly widespread issue under Mac OS X 10.3.8 where the F12 key does not function to eject media on some iBook G4 models under Mac OS X 10.3.8.

A handful of readers have reported that the multi-purpose workaround of re-applying the most recent Mac OS X combination updater [99.2 MB] works in this instance as well.

MacFixIt reader Scott Kissinger writes:

"I have a 933MHz G4 iBook that had the F12 eject problem after installing the 10.3.8 update (via the software updates tool)

"I downloaded and installed the Combo update over top and that corrected the issue."

MacFixIt reader Lee Eichelberger says he was able to resolve this issue by using the "reset-nvram" and "reset-all" commands while using Open Firmware booting. To boot into Open Firmware, hold down the Command, Option, O and F keys while your Mac starts up. Enter the aforementioned commands and press the return' key after each.

Eichelberger writes: "I had this same problem on my 12" 1.2 Ghz iBook after installing 10.3.8 US English via the Combo updater.  A reboot into open firmware to 'reset-nvram' and then 'reset-all' fixed it permanently.  No problems with it since even after multiple sleeps and reboots."

  If you are still having issues ejecting media after this workaround, try some of the suggestions offered in the tutorial "Ejecting media in Mac OS X: Removing 'stuck' CDs/DVDs"

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