I have a sick macbook here that I need help fixing...

Here is the problem. The user of this macbook bought it used from someone else and in an attempt to change the admin password, screwed it up totally. It starts up, but the admin password has either been changed or deleted, so it will not get past the username and password screen.
This morning in an attempt to fix it, I could not get it to boot from the disk, nor could I get it to boot in Target Disk mode. The install DVD is fine.
The user also said they tried changing the firmware password.
is this a firmware problem and if so, how do I fix it? If it isn't, how do I fix it?
Thanks.

This morning in an attempt to fix it, I could not get it to boot from the disk
How exactly did you try to do this? If you tried so by pressing "C", instead try to press the option-key (alt-key) immediately after having pressed the power button. Normally, you'll be presented with all bootable disks, and you can choose which one to boot from. Another possibility is that you'll be presented with a password-screen, which means that a firmware-password has been set. In that case, you'd be better off by asking the previous owner for the password.
-Alfons

Similar Messages

Microphone issue that i need help fixing

I have a HP Pavilion dv7-6b55dx laptop and I am having issues with my HD IDT codec intergrated mic, It stopped working and all of the settings are correct and it is saying the device is working properly but i still continue to not be able to record anything. External mics work but the intergrated doesn't. I have already tried to udate, roolback then update, and uninstall and reinstall the driver for it and non of that works. if i tap the top of the laptop above the lcd where the camera and mic are it gives the sound indicating that something is being turned off. Any suggestions or has anyone had the same issues?

This morning in an attempt to fix it, I could not get it to boot from the disk
How exactly did you try to do this? If you tried so by pressing "C", instead try to press the option-key (alt-key) immediately after having pressed the power button. Normally, you'll be presented with all bootable disks, and you can choose which one to boot from. Another possibility is that you'll be presented with a password-screen, which means that a firmware-password has been set. In that case, you'd be better off by asking the previous owner for the password.
-Alfons

I have a 2007 Macbook Pro that is running 10.7.5 and I am trying to use a 10.6.3 DVD to install Snow Leopard to an external hard drive.

I have a 2007 Macbook Pro that is running 10.7.5 and I am trying to use a 10.6.3 DVD to install Snow Leopard to an external hard drive. I've followed every possible instruction on every which website. The problem is when I boot to Install disc, I am unable to choose which hard drive I'd like to install the OS on. It says that it is unable to Install and automatically takes me to Restore and suggests that I restore to Time Machine backups. Any and all help is appreciated.

lovinlife5959,
have you tried booting from the grey Mac OS X Install DVD that originally came in the box with your MacBook Pro? See if you can install its version of Mac OS X (either 10.4.9, 10.4.10, or 10.5.0, depending upon when it shipped from the factory) onto your external hard drive. If that works, boot from your external hard drive, run Software Update on it, and then try updating your external drive to 10.6.3 via the white Snow Leopard DVD.

I have a 4yo MacBook Pro, that has a super-old version of Microsoft Word ('04?) on it. I upgraded to Mavericks. Now Word PowerPC apps are no longer supported. How do I change my default opener to Pages?

I have a 4yo MacBook Pro that has a super-old version of Microsoft Word ('04?). When I try to open a Word document, a note pops up saying that PowerPC apps are no longer supported. How do I change my default document opener to Pages?

Okbart wrote:
Can I safely send the Word Office icons and anything else related to it that shows up in spotlight to the trash?
You mean for Office apps? That, I don't know for sure as I don't use MS Office on my Mac. I would check to see if there is some sort of MS Office uninstaller that needs to be run before dragging the icons to Trash. Either from one of the Office apps Help or About or search the Internet for a solution.
EDIT: A quick Google search found this link which may help you.

I have a 2007 MacBook Pro that needs its backlight replaced. How can I get this done?

I have a 2007 MacBook Pro that needs its screen backlight replaced. How do I go about doing this? I'm told it is vintage and Apple will no longer fix it. If I am paying why not??

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
See > http://pondini.org/TM/E3.html

HT201240 I have a new macbook pro that did not have a disk, OS X was pre installed so how can i change the administrators name and password, it did not migrate properly from my hard drive.., so how do i

I have a new macbook pro that did not have a disk, OS X lion 7.3.4 was pre installed so how can i change the administrators name and password, it did not migrate properly from my hard drive.., now there is some mysterious administrator name and or password??

See #5
Step by Step to fix your Mac

How can i find my ipod touch 5th g that has been stole (it does have icloud but it says that it needs internet connection) i dont know what to do now plz help

How can i find my ipod touch 5th g that has been stole (it does have icloud but it says that it needs internet connection) i dont know what to do now plz help

What To Do If Your iDevice or Computer Is Lost Or Stolen
If your Mac, iPhone, iPod, iPod Touch, or iPad is lost or stolen what do you do? There are things you should do in advance - before you lose it or it's stolen - and some things to do after the fact. Here are some suggestions:
1. Reporting a lost or stolen Apple product
2. Find my lost iPod Touch
3. AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon can block stolen phones/tablets
4. What-To-Do-When-Iphone-Is-Stolen
5. Lost or Stolen iPhone? Here’s What to do
6. 6 Ways to Track and Recover Your Lost/Stolen iPhone
7. Find My iPhone
It pays to be proactive by following the advice on using Find My Phone before you lose your device:
1. Find My iPhone
2. Setup your iDevice on MobileMe
3. OS X Lion- About Find My Mac
4. How To Set Up Free Find Your iPhone (Even on Unsupported Devices)
Third-party solutions for computers:
1. VUWER 1.5.4
2. Sneaky ******* 0.2.0
3. Undercover 4.7
4. LoJack for Laptops Premium Mac
5. STEM 2.1
6. MacPhoneHome 3.5

I have the 64bit version of itunes. When I connect my iphone5 it says that I don't have the correct software and that I need to install itunes 64bit! And I can go no further! Help!

I have the 64bit version of itunes on windows 7. When I connect my iphone5 it says that I don't have the correct software and that I need to install itunes 64bit! And I can go no further! I've uninstalled and reinstalled but it makes no difference. I have no access to other computers so at the moment I don't have a backup for my iphone should anything go wrong.
Please Help!

Hello ekbowers,
It sounds like you have installed the 64 bit version of iTunes, but you continue to the get an error message that suggests to download the 64 bit version any time you connect your iPhone 5. I understand that you have already uninstalled and reinstalled iTunes, but sometimes you may need to uninstall additional components related to iTunes to completely remove it from your system.
I recommend following the steps in this article to completely uninstall iTunes:
Removing and reinstalling iTunes, QuickTime, and other software components for Windows Vista or Windows 7
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1923
Once you have completely uninstalled iTunes, you can download the 65 bit version of iTunes for Windows here:
iTunes 11.0.4 for Windows 64
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1615
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Sheila M.

I have a new macBook Pro 15 and need to purchase best, easiest usb for backup - help please

I have a new MacBook Pro 15" and need to purchase the easiest, cost-effective USB for backup. I have never done a backup and don't know what to buy. Thanks much from an obvious novice.

Look at these two links to OWC products. Note that one is for enclosures only so an appropriate HDD would have to be added. This at least should give you an idea of what is available.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/USB2/OWC_Express
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/on-the-go
Ciao.

I have printers at home and work. i need help programing my macbook print utility so computer knows which printer to use depending on where i am. thanks

i have printers at home and work. i need help programing my macbook print utility so computer knows which printer to use depending on where i am. thanks

Look for cloud solutions such as DropBox, OneDrive, SugarSync or others. They are all cloud based services that sync documents between computers via the cloud. Of course another solution is simply a flash drive formatted in exFat so that Macs and Windows computers can read it.

This may be a duplicate but, I have a new ipad mini that I need to activate but I need to get my data from my 1pad 1 which has never been backed up. How do I get the data from the ipad 1 to the new mini? I have itunes acct and also Icloud acct. Thanks

I have a new ipad mini that I need to activate but I need to get the data from my old ipad 1 and install on the new mini. I have a itunes acct and also icloud acct. How do I back up the ipad 1 data and then activate the mini. I assume I will need to transfer the sim from the ipad 1 to the mini.
Thanks for any info
wino454

How to Transfer Everything from an Old iPad to New iPad
http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/16/transfer-old-ipad-to-new-ipad/
 Cheers, Tom

I turned off my Mac and now when I turn it on it wont boot. It says I have no bootable device and that I need to insert a boot disk..... I never got a boot disk....

What do I do???? I got it yesterday and now it's not working! Brand new straight from the Apple web store. It never came with any sort of disk and now it's telling me that I have no bootable device and that I need a boot disk.... I need this for school... PLEASE HELP ME!!!

Reinstalling Lion Without the Installer
Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alterhatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You can also re-download the Lion installer by opening the App Store application. Hold down the OPTION key and click on the Purchases icon in the toolbar. You should now see an active Install button to the right of your Lion purchase entry. There are situations in which this will not work. For example, if you are already booted into the Lion you originally purchased with your Apple ID or if an instance of the Lion installer is located anywhere on your computer.

After updating my iphone 4 to iOS6 the screen will periodically black out. i have to shut it down 2 or 3 times to get it to come back on correctly. any idea on a fix. i have done a restore and that did not help

After updating my iphone 4 to iOS6 the screen will periodically fade out to black and will not come back up. I have to shut the phone off and back on 2 or 3 times to get it to come back on. I have done a restore and that did not help. any ideas? is this happening to anyone else?

did you restore from backup or as a new device? Restore as a new device. Before you add any apps to it, use the phone with just the iOS-installed apps. If it's fine, slowly add a few purchased apps back at a time. Do this until the offending app is found.

I'm trying to print some pictures in iPhoto but a error message apears in the screen saying that there is no theme installed and I need to have some theme installed. I don't know how to do that. Need help.

I'm trying to print some pictures in iPhoto but a error message apears in the screen saying that there is no theme installed and I need to have some theme installed. I don't know how to do that. Need help.

Reinstall iPhoto.
To re-install iPhoto
1. Put the iPhoto.app in the trash (Drag it from your Applications Folder to the trash)
2a: On 10.5: Go to HD/Library/Receipts and remove any pkg file there with iPhoto in the name.
2b: On 10.6: Those receipts may be found as follows: In the Finder use the Go menu and select Go To Folder. In the resulting window type
/var/db/receipts/
2c: on 10.7 or later they're at
/private/var/db/receipts
A Finder Window will open at that location and you can remove the iPhoto pkg files.
3. Re-install.
If you purchased an iLife Disk, then iPhoto is on it.
If iPhoto was installed on your Mac when you go it then it’s on the System Restore disks that came with your Mac. Insert the first one and opt to ‘Install Bundled Applications Only.
If you purchased it on the App Store or have a Recent Mac you can find it in your Purchases List.

Every time I open iPhoto, the program freezes, showing me the spinning rainbow of death. I always need to perform a Force Quit. I have updated my software, but that did not help.

Every time I open iPhoto, the program freezes, showing me the spinning rainbow of death. I always need to perform a Force Quit. I have updated my software, but that did not help.

tullch24
Try these in order - from best option on down...
1. Do you have an up-to-date back up? If so, try copy the library6.iphoto file from the back up to the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) allowing it to overwrite the damaged file.
2. Download <a href="http://www.fatcatsoftware.com/iplm/"><b><u>iPhoto Library Manager</b></u></a> and use its rebuild function. This will create a new library based on data in the albumdata.xml file. Not everything will be brought over - no slideshows, books or calendars, for instance - but it should get all your albums and keywords back.
Because this process creates an entirely new library and leaves your old one untouched, it is non-destructive, and if you're not happy with the results you can simply return to your old one.
3. If neither of these work then you'll need to create and populate a new library.
To create and populate a new *iPhoto 08* library:
Note this will give you a working library with the same Events and pictures as before, however, you will lose your albums, keywords, modified versions, books, calendars etc.
In the iPhoto Preferences -> Events Uncheck the box at 'Imported Items from the Finder'
Move the iPhoto Library to the desktop
Launch iPhoto. It will ask if you wish to create a new Library. Say Yes.
Go into the iPhoto Library (Right Click -> Show Package Contents) on your desktop and find the Originals folder. From the Originals folder drag the individual Event Folders to the iPhoto Window and it will recreate them in the new library.
When you're sure all is well you can delete the iPhoto Library on your desktop.
In the future, in addition to your usual back up routine, you might like to make a copy of the library6.iPhoto file whenever you have made changes to the library as protection against database corruption.

I have a sick macbook here that I need help fixing...

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for