Firmware Password Issue.

Hi All,
I am aware of how to go about changing the firmware passwords for most of the Mac models available. but i have one major question. "How do u change the firmware password for a Mac that has no user removable components.?" Is there any third party utility that will help you do so.? or do u have to take it down for service to an ARS/AASP..??
Thanx in advance.!

To change the firmware password for Macs running 10.5 & later, you use the *Firmware Password Utility*, found on the system Installer disc, as discussed in Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X.
Note that all Intel Macs use Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) technology; Open Firmware is used only in Macs that use PPC processors like G4's & G5's. However, the Firmware Password Utility will work for both, assuming they are on the compatible Mac list.

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Firmware password since Mavericks update

So tonight I was having a couple of system issues, so I went to view my options in recovery.. until I was met with this:
Ever since I did an update for Mavericks (not the latest one, before that) I noticed that the odd few settings had been changed, so right now I'm questioning that. I also remember that after the update I was asked to enter my password (on a similar screen) before it got to the login screen.
All in all I never remember setting a firmware password.. I have had this machine from new ever since November last year.

producerlawson,
refer to this Apple document for your next step.

Turn Off Firmware Password will not accept correct password

Hello communtiy,
A while back I set a Firmware Password on my 15" MacBook Pro Early 2011 and have used it with great success. Now however I wish to turn it off and am having difficulties doing so. The problem is as follows:
I restart my Mac, press and hold ALT to enter the drive selection screen, enter the Firmware Password, and select the Recovery Partition.
Once the screen starts I select utilities -> Firmware Password Utilities and select "Turn Off Firmware Password..." I am promted to enter my old password, which I do, at which point I get the red error message: "The password is incorrect."
As you can see the password should be correct as I entered the ultility window using it, but it isn't accepted by the tool. I've tried every other conceivable option, such as my admin password, old passwords I no longer use, etc. all to no avail.
I receive the same message when trying to simply change the Firmware Password.
Might there be a problem with special characters? My password uses alpha numeric values as well as two special characters: ? and ,
The system currently runs OS X 10.8.2
Any help in solving this issue would be greatly appriciated!

Ah, I didn't know they could. In that case I will see if I can get an appointment. If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know. Would be great if I could work this out over the weekend.

DON'T Install Snow Leopard on early MacBook Pro with Firmware password on!!

I'm going to summarize my postings from yesterday because I don't want anyone wasting their night like I did.
Many of us who upgraded from Tiger created a Firmware password to ensure that people won't be able to wipe and re-install the HD for sale if the computer gets stolen. I also note that, like me, many have been suffering the recent won't wake from sleep issues that make it feel like the HD is dead. Sometimes it starts from sleep, mostly it's a real hassle to get it to wake up and when it does it's generally in safe sleep mode. I managed to find a "halfway" good fix for that issue by changing the sleep mode from 0 to 3 in the terminal, found a useful script by Googling the problem. Fixes 90% of my issues on that score. But I wanted to install Snow Leopard to "hopefully" fix that issue for good.
HOWEVER, if you have a MacBook Pro 2006-2007 model and the original install disc is still Tiger, WARNING TURN OFF THE FIRMWARE PASSWORD if you created one before you attempt an install. Otherwise you'll be completely stuck in black screen **** and you cannot restart from the Snow Leopard disc once you have it in, neither can you eject it because you never get that far.
The computer, after installing Snow Leopard just gets stuck on the grey screen for a while and then goes black. The computer will not boot from the Snow Leopard disc, Techtool Protege or Leopard disc and the BIGGEST PROBLEM is; you can't Zap the PRAM with firmware active to try and continue installation as some other posters have suggested. Basically, you're screwed.
To get the Snow Leopard disc out I rebooted in Windows and ejected the disc, then put in first the Leopard disc... didn't work... then rebooted, ejected and put in the original installation disc with Tiger, that did work but no firmware password reset!!!
The only solution was for me to wipe the disc, reinstall Tiger from the original install disc, which was the only one that worked. Once I could restart the computer again in Tiger, I was finally able to reboot from the Leopard disc and disable the firmware password.
Then I restarted, zapped the PRAM and using the Leopard disc, restored my machine to its former self with my Time Machine back up. Ran Techtool Pro 5 to fix permissions and rebuild volumes etc. and now have it working again.
I think I'll leave Snow Leopard for a while since I don't know whether the zapping PRAM works during install and frankly, don't have the time to go through this entire debilitating process again. If anyone does manage to get things running on the earlier MacBook Pros please let me know how it went!
Anyway, just thought I'd give people a heads up on the Firmware password thing... it's really a bugger on the older models because it wasn't originally included on the original install disc leaving you with no options!!

Sorry, just wnated to post a comment not question, wasn't sure how to mark it!

How can I reset the open firmware password?

I wanted to installed Mac OS X Lion from scratch on my newly purchased MBP 15,4"
I put the installESD.dmg on a USB pendrive, then I boot on it. I used Disk utility to erase en encrypte my drive, and at the same time I set the Open firmware password.
I launched the installation process, after a while the computer reboot but I got an error:
there was a problem installing mac os x try reinstalling
I google this error and found many people who solved this issue by erasing the PRAM using the shortcut: cmd + opt + P + R. I'm asked to enter the password which I did but it's still keeping asking for the password so I guess its wrong which is weird cause I typed it in few minutes ago, so I might have done twice a typing error or I don't know.
So my question is how can I reset this password to be able to install my OS? (I cannot access to any OS cause the installation process failed).
Thnak you for your help

Yes I did use the disk utility to restore the dmg on my USB drive. The USB drive is perfectly fine, I can boot on it without any problem, well before setting this open firmware password I could do it.
Now the situation is:
No system installed,
Lock with a password
I have the disk to install SL but I cannot boot on the DVD because it is asking me for this password.

Firmware Password on MacBook Pro 2011 (10.6.8 Intel)

Hello,
Please read this entire post before commenting below.
I am requiring access of the boot selector menu on my MacBook Pro.
Whenever I try and get to the menu, the firmware password box shows up. I am trying to change / remove said password.
My MacBook was bought under a bulk deal with 300 others, and each one contains the same firmware password.
I do not know the firmware password, and I am unable to open up my computer and add / remove any RAM.
I do not have access to the boot CD either.
Please do help me out on this issue.
I am entirely certain that removing / replacing the firmware password is possible without opening the computer / using the boot CD, as I have seen a colleague gain access to the menu without doing either.
Regards,
Rowan Crothers

Rowan_Crothers wrote:
Clinton,
That does not really help, whatsoever.
The only suggestion it states that I can do is to use the Boot CD's utility.
Which, as stated earlier, I do not have access to.
Regards,
Rowan Crothers
New Mac's do not come with a RE-Install DVD of any kind. They use a Recovery HD partition on the internal drive to Re-Install Lion over the internet. But that will not do you any good as to get to that Recovery HD system you must know the Firmware password.
But why are you wanting to change or remove this password. To my knowledge you, the user, has no access to the Boot Sector and if it really did have a EFI firmware password you would not be able to load the OS without first typing in that password.
Have you tried leaving that password request blank?

Unknown Firmware Password prompt after deleting Bootcamp

I bought a MacBook Pro second hand last year. The previous owner installed bootcamp on it and I tried getting rid of it to no avail. When I shut it down and tried to turn it back on I just got the folder with the question mark, presumably a startup disk issue. When I try the reset shortcuts and resetting pram it just shows a firmware password entry, of which I don't know. neither does the precious owner. Ive brought it to the apple store to see what they can do but they said they can't do anything without original proof of purchase. Neither I, nor the original owner has the receipt. So, I have a paperweight that runs and is a password away from working. Help?

Hi Boudewijn,
I personally haven't seent this behavior as of yet. I've done 6 upgraded on the SX300 series and 4 on the SX500 series. The good news is, there is nothing lost if you have the ability to console the unit.
If you console the unit there is a password bypass option
1)Bits per seconds: 115200
Databits: 8
Partiy: None
Stop bits:1
Flow control: None
2) Reboot the switch, just unplug the power and plug it back in
3) When prompted, press ESC
4.) I beleive it is option 6 that is "password recovery"
Once you choose this option, the switch should boot as normal and you may sign in without the admin password.
-Tom
Please rate helpful posts

How can I remove a firmware password?

Bought a MBAir in a pawn shop, clean unit, otherwise empty, wanted to take it back to factory specs at a genius bar. No can do, locked at the firmware password. How do I get that removed. Perfect working, don't like not having complete control over it. Data loss not an issue, just want it restored to factory original. Period. Help?

Only Apple can do this. Call in at your local Apple Store.

Resetting Firmware Password

My iMac G5 is a complete disaster. It turns off cold if I plug in a firewire HD. I have a firmware password set which I know, but when I enter the password it briefly shows the selection screen and then proceeds to a white screen with a command prompt. Because of the firmware password I cannot reinstall OS X, and I cannot boot into the install DVD to reset the password because I cannot select boot to DVD in the startup selection menu!
So I opened up the iMac to remove its CMOS battery so that it would forget the password... but I cannot locate any such battery. Where is it? How can I deal with this issue? My current install of OS X is broken because I restarted improperly and upon reboot I can no longer login! When I login as Guest, I see that my username's home directory has disappeared.

Which "model" & "generation" G5 iMac do you have?
Need this info so that the knowledgeable users can provide you with the proper troubleshooting solution(s).
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301724-en How to identify your iMac
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh355.html Getting information about your computer
Which OS are you using on the G5 iMac?
You can have this info displayed on the bottom of every post by going to 'My Settings' which is located in the column on the right under your name, and filling in the information asked for.
Thank you
In the meantime, you can search through Apple's Articles for firmware password troubleshooting: http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=search

Help! Forget a firmware password of MBA gen 1!

My MBA was getting slower and slower, i thought there were some operation system issues so i tried to reinstall but i couldn't. It requires a firmware password, unfortunately i forget it. I know i need to bring my MBA to Apple retail store to break this pass but anyone know how much they charge this service. My warranty was expired nearly one year. Thank for any reply.

There is a way of doing it yourself, and it isn't difficult. You'll gave to Google for it, because Apple doesn't allow the procedure to be posted here in these forums.

Zap PRAM with Open Firmware Password?

I'm wondering if there is any way to do this...
I have an older MacBook that had some kind of issue recently, that first prevented it from booting at all, and after resetting the SMC it would boot but the screen is black...
I remember from many years ago that there was an issue with the screen staying black that would be fixed by zapping the pram...
Problem is the system has an Open Firmware password. And while I do know what that passowrd is, it's kind of impossible to go in and disble it with a black screen...
In essense, is there any possible way I can zap the PRAM that doesn't involve psychicly guessing what I'm doing???

I'm fully aware of the key combination. The problem is when Open Firmware password is enabled, holding CMD-OPT-P-R has no effect.... The only way I know to be able to use the key combiantion is to disalbe the Open Firmware password first, then reboot and hold hte keys down.
Which is where my problem lies, as I can't zap the PRAM until I disable my Open Firmware password, and I can't go though the steps to disable my Open Firmware password until after I zap the PRAM in order to re-enable my screen...

Stuck on startup screen; locked firmware (password) won't allow CD Boot...?

When the system began to act strange, I tried to install with a 10.5 Update/Install Disk. When the software wouldn't install ("You can not install this software on this disk."), I restarted the drive, but nothing happened. I ran Disk Utility from the 10.5 CD. I repaird the HD, and restored the permissions by pressing the "Repair", and "Repair Permissions" buttons. When it indicated that the hard drive was "OK", (using the 10.5 Install Disk,) I set the firmware password locking it to keep others from starting with a CD.
Now, the startup screen will not display any users; the blue "load" indicator will not complete, and appears to be stuck. First I tried holding down the "C" key, but it wouldn't start from the CD. Then I tried re-setting the PBG4 to factory settings by holding down the option, command, "P" and "R" keys, but it won't make the second "reboot" sound, and continues with the blue "start-up" indicator. (I'm in real trouble, because I'm supposed to have my College Papers ready by this weekend, but they're stuck on my computer.) Does anyone have any sollutions??? Pleeeeeease help; I'l l b u y y o u s o m e c a n d y!

Welcome to the Apple discussions.
Usually you get a 'can't install on this disk' when you try to use a gray-faced system disk from another system, like MacBook or iMac or other non-Powerbook. Those disks are locked to the systems they are distributed with. The only way to upgrade to 10.5 is with a black-faced retail disk.
Have you tried starting the system holding the alt/option key down? That should prompt you for the firmware password, then give give you a choice of device to boot from.
You didn't indicate why your system was beginning to act strange, so don't know if that has any bearing on your current start issues.

Mysterious Firmware Password set spontaneously.

I have worked a computer repair shop for 4 years and have dealt with some peculier things... Usually I hear the customer say, "I swear I didn't do anything..." Well this time it's true.
Some info that might possibly be contributed...?
I have my Macbook Pro /w Retina Display. I have a dual boot with Windows 8 that works natively, and in a virtual machine. About two months ago I dabbled with a Triple boot using Ubuntu Linux and so I had installed rEFIt to easily navigate the various operating systems. However, I moved the Recovery partition to a backup drive because of Windows' issue with installing on a 4th partition. (It complains about a max amount of primary partitions.) I have since removed Linux, but haven't returned the Recovery Partition.
So, my system is simply dualbooting.
I am used to using the option key to navigate between OSX and Windows, however for the first time I found that a Padlock symbol appeared after doing the usual option key hold. I have NOT set up a Firmware Password, nor is there anyone around this laptop with the knowledege to do so. The Recovery partition hasn't been present on this machine in a month, and I was under the impression that a Firmware Password was primarily installed via the Recovery partition, however I'm sure there is another way around that.
I called Apple, and they had some hash key, had me read them the last 16 digits of the code I get when I press Control, Option, Command, Shift, and S simultaneously. Then they informed me that they could not run their program for fear that it (the program) would be leaked to the public. They told me that I would either have to take the machine apart myself to flash the firmware, (something I am willing, but not wanting to do,) or drive the four hours to an Apple Store.
I am just pleading... I did not set this Password, nor did anyone else. What could have caused this MacBook to set a Firmware Password, and is there anyway I can remove it?
Thanks again, even if you just read it...
Casey

In case you haven't seen, all on Firmware Password that Apple seems to publish - it's not that 'mysterious'...
If Apple must put hands on, perhaps there is an AASP closer than the Store. The AASP network is usually 'denser'. Locate the nearest via Apple's Support webpage.
Good luck!

Firmware Password Lock, HD Mapping Concern

I'm using Firmware Password Lock for a little added security in the event my MacBook Pro is stolen. I would like to know if using this password lock feature will detrimentally effect the drive controllers ability to automatically map out bad blocks on the disc. Is the drives SMART routine compromised by using Firmware Password Lock? Clarity on this issue would assist me in understanding how best to use the Firmware Password Lock. Please help.

no, firmware password has nothing to do with this. it does not affect hard drives in any way. it locks the firmware not hard drives an is only ever involved during the boot process. and btw, you should know that a firmware password won't protect you much in case your computer is stolen. firmware protection can be easily circumvented given unrestricted access to the computer. google it up to see how. if you are worried about that sort of thing use encryption.

PRAM won't reset, no firmware password set

Hey guys,
I'm trying to reset my PRAM/VRAM after severe freezing, weird multicolored horizontal lines across open windows and lots of crashes. I'm trying to find out what's going on. However, upon trying to reset, it just, for the life of me, won't work. I did this before though, and it did work back then. Now however, the computer starts up just as it always does — no second chime. Other commands won't work as well — like holding down the command-key or the shift key. It just starts up so as if I'm not doing anything. I have no firmware password set, I checked and when starting this app from my Snow Leopard DVD it asks me if I'd like to set up one — it doesn't give me the option to remove any old password. So I figured I haven't set one.
What could I do? Any clues?
Cheers…

Well, are you using wireless keyboard? See here http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3273
This may help with other issues:
As old as your iMac is, have you cleaned out the dust? Dust buildup can lead to over heating issues. Remove any and all things plugged into it including the power cord, Remove the RAM access grille. Vacuum all openings starting with the RAM access area (air intake). Vacuum all ports and plugs, DVD slot and the opening across the top of the rear of the body. Blow compressed air through all your openings and vacuum again to remove any dust you loosend. Reinstall the RAM grille. Plug in the keyboard and mouse if not blue tooth. Insert power cord...
You are now in a perfect position to do a
SMC RESET
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Shut down the computer.
Unplug the computer's power cord and ALL peripherals.
Wait 15 seconds.
Attach the computers power cable.
Wait another 5 seconds and press the power button to turn on the computer.
It is the 5 second timing that initiates the reset.
Here is a link to a Widget to monitor your temps and other operations:
http://islayer.com/apps/istatpro/

Firmware Password Issue.

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