Firmware password stuck !

Ok so a previous housemate gave me his MacBook Pro after he tore the screen from the base and said I could have it. Great I thought and I took it to apple. The genius sighed then laughed " you won't fix that mate" he said. Well I went on eBay and bought a complete retina screen and top lid and with patience I attached the two and then purchased a new power lead from the store to see if it powered up. Success ! It did indeed.it powered up and went to the login screen. Well I forgot that he might have been signed in . I have no idea what his password is obviously and or his recovery key etc. as I cannot get past these screens I don't know what to do next. Well this gas been a year long journey so the software is something like mountain lion but I can't be sure The MacBook isn't any older than 2012.

TheonlyJayse,
see this Apple page for what to do about a firmware password.

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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.

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!

Update to Mavericks, Firmware password lost

Hello,
about a year ago I set up a firmware password for my MacBook 5.1 (Aluminium Unibody MacBook, no Pro). I forgot to store the password in 1Password, so now I'm stuck with a MacBook which has a firmware password set I can't reset.
Will the Mavericks installer ask for the firmware password? Or will it just install Mavericks like it installed every other 10.8.x update in the past months?
Bye,
Oliver

Hello,
thanks. But a firmware password is something different than an account password: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4347468 .
I know that there might be a chance that Apple might disable the firmware password when I go to an Apple Store, but I'm interested in getting to know if installing the update to Mavericks requires the firmware password or not. "Dot updates" did not require the firmware password, but I don't want to create a bricked machine in case Mavericks does.
Bye,
Oliver

Cant bypass Firmware password , Folder with Question mark!

I have a MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
I had the folder with question mark show up. I took out my hard drive and put it in an enclosure and it is working fine. Could it be the hard drive flex cable that is damaged and that is why the system can't find the hard drive?
Anyway the big problem i'm having is that i can't remember the firmware password and i tried every combination (command+S, command+R) . memory pull out and nothing worked. I'm stuck please let me know what i can do to get this fixed

Hi caliabe,
Unfortunately, the only way to remove the password would be to visit an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider, as I understand you can't even access the Mac in recovery mode without the Firmware Password. If you lost or forgot your firmware password - Apple Support
Good luck.

Lost open firmware password - any way to reset?

Hi
I lent my PB to someone and I don't know exactly what happened, but now the PB can't start up. I get the flashing Finder icon and question mark, so I got out my install discs and tried to repair permissions/reinstall. But I set an open firmware password which I have now forgotten, so I can't boot up from the disc. Is there any way that I can reset the password, or somehow reinstall?
I did check the airport card, it seems to be seated properly.
I'm running 10.3.9 on the 1.33 GHz PB.
Any help will be hugely appreceiated. Thank you.
p53

Thanks Gossamer, but I can't reset the PRAM because I've lost my open firmware password.
I'm basically stuck with a PB that won't start up until I remember my open firmware password (which is unlikely) or I am able to reset the password somehow.
I didn't mention in my first post - when the PB goes into open firmware mode, the screen displays:
"Invalid memory access at SRR0: ff84a4d0 SRR1: 0000b030"
Does this indicate a problem with the memory?
p53

MBP Retina Firmware Password Reset

I purchased a MBP Retina 13.3/2.5/8GB/128GB back in Nov 2012 and all was fine.
Last year I installed Orbicule Undercover software, in case it got lost & stolen and it recommended I set a Firmware Password, which I did and now I have forgotten that password.
I want to reset my MBP but without the firmware password I am completely locked out at the reset screen.
It works fine day to day, and I know the password to lock & unlock features or settings, etc.
It is running the latest operating System, Yosemite. I have had no trouble upgrading the OS System as they have been made available.
Many post say to take the MBP to an Apple Store so they can reset it with a special CD/DVD, only my MBP has no optical drive.
Clearly it is out of warranty coverage, as I did not purchase the extended warranty.
I don't have the skills to take the thing apart, my past history with old window based laptops is not good! (Although I did have more parts left over when I was done)
Does anyone know if I schedule a Genius Bar appointment, if they can help me? And the approximate cost they would charge me??
I have my original receipt & packaging to show that it is mine, and not a stolen unit.
Any Advice or information on the above questions will be gratefully received!!!

You probably bought a Mac that was stolen. I sure hope a 2011 model, whether the Early version or the Late version (There was no MID 2011 model), would certainly sell for much more than $515. That should of been your first clue there was something up with this noteboook and the seller.
Apple can remove the firmware password but only for the rightful owner.
The best thing you can do is take back into an Apple store and ask them to look up the serial number to find the original owner, if possible, and see if there is any contact info for them and return that system to them. Yes you would still be out the $515 but you would be doinig the right thing. Do the right thing and the right thing happen.

How do I install an open firmware password on my 10.6.8 OSX Macbook?

I tried to download the lastes version of open firmware, but it is incompatible with the version of my computer. Don't tell me to use a disk I got with my computer, that would be for a Macbook Pro, not a Macbook, which is what I have. Please tell me if you can find a link to a firmware password program for Mac OSX 10.6.8, or if you have another way of installing a firmware password. Thanks.

You have other problems on your computer, then, or not reading carefully. Note this:
"For Mac OS X v10.5.x, start from the Leopard Install DVD and choose Firmware Password Utility from the Utilities menu, then skip to step 5."
For Snow Leopard if the above does not work, then look for the Firmware Password utility on your Snow Leopard DVD.
Oh, and please don't click on the Helpful or Solved buttons for your own posts.

Can't get past login screen and accidentally added a Firmware password?

Hi, please can you help me.
Up until about a week ago my Mac Mini Server (running snow leopard server) was working fine, but when I re-started my user name and password stopped working (the panel shakes).
I booted the computer from the Install DVD and changed the password. When I restarted this still didn't work. I booted again from the DVD and changed the password again, it came up with a warning about the password also needed to be changed elsewhere.
I had a look round the utilities on the DVD and saw the Change Firmware Password (I know now this was a massive mistake!), so I changed that and clicked add!
Now I cant boot from the DVD as all the Keyboard start-up commands don't work.
I have tried starting up, holding down Command-Option-O-F. This didn't work.
Checked to make sure the Keyboard is working.
I also tried removing all RAM and holding down Command-Option-P-R and waited for this to chime 3 times.
I cant find any thing else to try on the internet.
I think to solve my initial problem, I need to Boot from the DVD and change the ROOT password, somehow login as the ROOT account then change the passwords. Is this right?
Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks,
Regards Andy

If you can remember the firmware password you set:
Boot the computer with the install DVD in the drive (I'm assuming you have the external optical drive, based on your previous post) and hold down the OPTION key. You will see a screen with an input field. Enter your firmware password here, then press enter. The boot manager will load, showing you the internal HD as well as the DVD. Boot from the DVD, and go back into the firmware password utility. Enter the password in the old password field, and leave the new password fields blank. This will remove the firmware password.
If you *can not* remember the firmware password you set:
Open up the computer and remove only 1 of the 2 installed RAM sticks. Boot the computer holding COMMAND + OPTION + P +R and wait for 3 startup chimes. This will remove the firmware password.
Once you have removed the password and are booted to the DVD:
See this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1274
You want the section labeled "Resetting the original administrator account password."
Message was edited by: John.Kitzmiller to fix spelling mistakes.

How do I set the firmware password on 10.7

Hi
How do I set the firmware password in Mac OS 10.7.2 (MacBook Pro) ?
The Apple instructions only seem to go up to 10.5.x
Thanks

Firmware password is not much use as any thief can reset it by pulling out the memory chips and putting them back in again.
The only real way to secure your data 99% is to use FileVault 2.

Any one know how to reset the open firmware password?

iBook G4. 1.33ghz. 1GB RAM.30 or 40GB HDD. Running 10.5.8
I got this from a friend, who got it from a friend. And its acting funny. It works. But a lot of options are missing from the System Preferences pane. And another friend said to reset the NVRAM and all the setting in the open firmware. Only no one seems to know the open firmware password. And I can't seem to find how you'd reset all the setting in the open firmware. I'm working on locating the installation disks for this iBook. But will that even help me with this resetting open firmware business?

I did a google search and here is one link that might have some helpful information -
http://www.macforensicslab.com/ProductsAndServices/index.php?mainpage=document_general_info&productsid=69&zenid=74f4076fb96074db45dc274f7de86bc6

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.

Boot Process with active EFI Firmware Password

I have a MacMini with Linux installed (for an embedded application) on the internal hard drive, and Mac OS X 10.5.6 available on an external Firewire / USB drive. The machine is a 1.83 MHz 2008 production unit with EFI version MM21.009A.B00 firmware installed (no later update is reported as available via the OS X Software Updater).
The system normally boots from the internal (Linux) disk without user interaction when first powered up.
In order to restrict users from starting the system from alternate devices, we activated an EFI firmware password. After doing so with the Open Firmware Password application on the OS X installer DVD (booted with option key and selecting the DVD icon, or with the C-key held), the system no longer automatically boots either of the two available hard disk devices. Rather a flashing file folder icon with question mark appears when the machine is powered up without any user interaction.
With the EFI password active, it is necessary to hold the option key down, enter the password, and then select the desired disk device icon (either internal Linux or external OS X device) in order to boot the system. It appears that the system can no longer automatically select a boot device when started up, even if only one is available. This requires that every user of the embedded system must know the EFI password in order to start the system. This seriously compromises the protections that a user would expect to achieve by using the EFI password capability.
Is this the expected performance of the firmware after the EFI password has been activated, or is this performance the result of a design flaw in the EFI code when the firmware password is active (i.e. is this a"feature" or a bug)?

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
The EFI firmware protection is there for people who work in environments where their machines must be secure from intruders, and secures information in event the machine gets stolen. If that sort of protection is too much for your needs, just setup your security and account preferences to log out when energy saver and/or screen saver is activated, and automatic log on is disabled. That's pretty good unless a person who steals your machine or has access to your machine has the original discs which came with the Mac, or newer retail operating system (up to the limits of the machine's hardware). So consider how much security you need, and you can ask the system to be that secure.

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.

How do I reset the firmware password on my MacBook Pro 2009?

Hi every body,
I'm Manh, as you see on the forum. Well i got a macbook pro 2009 that i bought from a friend, 1 month ago, the firmware is protected by a password, and it i can not boot form my hdd, when i google it, i found the firmware password should be remove or reset, but i don't know how to reset it. Please help me, because i ain't got any other to work. Thanks!

My friend bought it directly from Apple. I think this is a bug . Because my friend and I'd never set a firmware password before, Actually, icloud account in this mac is mine. Anw thanks for your comments. Any recommendation is highly appreciated!

Firmware password stuck !

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