Open Firmware Locked

I upgraded from Panther to Tiger. Now, when I go to open the "Open Firmware" application it is locked and when I click on it nothing happens. It is version 1.0.2. How can I open it to lock or unlock it?

Use the Open Firmware application from the Mac OS X 10.4 DVD if you aren't already.
(30672)

Similar Messages

Original iMac locks up in open firmware

I have a Rev A. original Bondi Blue iMac. 1.2 firmware updater has been applied. New larger hard drive in place. My ultimate goal is to get 9.2.2, 10.4.6 and Linux installed and bootable on this. Why? Because I like a challenge, and I can learn. I downloaded and burned Open Suse 10.1 discs (they just resumed PPC support) and powered on the old iMac for the first time in a couple months. It boots to 9.2.2 fine, and works. I've confirmed the firmware update has been applied, as well as the CD firmware update. It currently has 160 MB of memory.
When booting, I can old down "C" and it will boot from CD. I get the yaboot prompt (or whatever the boot loader is), but it accepts no further keyboard input. I either have to pull the power cord or hit the reset button. Similarly, I can hold down alt-splat-O-F and boot to open firmware. But once I'm there the system does not recognize any keyboard input. At least in open firmware, I can use the front panel power button to restart.
I have a third-party USB keyboard (Macally iKey) and I also have a small Apple USB keyboard from my dual-G5. Same failure with either.
What to do?
Jim
Bondi Blue iMac Rev A., 233 MHz, tray loading Mac OS 9.2.x

I let it sit for a while (days) and it started working. I didn't do anything explicit to fix it, but had tried lots of tricks and nothing worked at the time. So now it boots on the OS9 disc, OSX disc or Yellow Dog disc. The Open Suse disc has problems booting, but the computer is usable and I can proceed in my experiments.
Jim

Console Mode with third-party PCI card w/ open firmware bios,Open Boot Info

PPC macs used open firmware to boot, and their videocards contained forth code in their rom. There are even custom roms for PC video cards which contain code for the PPC mac open firmware.
Could such a card be initialized as the primary display device on an Ultra 5?
I'm betting I'm going to be answered with 'use a sun branded card'. I can't imagine the rom on these cards is so much different than that used on the PPC mac?
What exactly does Open Boot do to find a videocard? Are there any documents on this? I assume it finds some forth routine in the cards rom and runs that to initialize it and identify it's capabilities? Again, I would really appreciate some direction on where to look for docs.
I'm confused on the difference between openfirmware (apparently a spec), and open boot (sun's implementation? Are all implementations compatible with eachother?)
http://www.openbios.org/Welcome_to_OpenBIOS
"Open Firmware is found on many servers and workstations and there are several commercial implementations from SUN, Firmworks, CodeGen, Apple, IBM and others."
Additionaly, what is the sun4u architecture? sun4v architecture? Which workstations are which? System handbook doesn't seem to say under 'hardware specs'.
So, if all else fails and using a card with an openfirmware rom doesn't help me, how do I go about doing this myself?
I know how to work VGA console mode via the stardard vga registers, Is there a way to get open boot to do exactly what I tell it in terms of registers and addresses?
Can I get an uncompiled form of my Open Boot Prom for my Ultra 5?
All I'm really looking for is good docs/source on how Open Boot/ Open Firmware work, specificly conerning PCI video devices.
Thanks for any tips.

I haven't looked at anything beyond the OpenBoot level.
I've been neglecting this project for some time.
I just wanted to let anyone else in my situation know that the sun OpenBoot documentation was very helpfull in my sucessfully setting a mode with the card.
I don't know how the OS and later OpenWidows interact with the card, or with the information OpenBoot has about it, and it's current mode.
I hadn't really looked at any of that yet. Though this information will probably show up as soon as I bother to look for it, it'd be nice if some one recommends a specific doc, or has a short answer about the topic.
There happens to be an open source driver for my card, for XFree86 and Xorg, however, I've had enough of a challenge merely using OpenWindows.
/etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/XFree86.conf
Where are simmilar files for OpenWindows? Again, it's probably in some docs I haven't bothered to read yet.
Sparcy: Weird that the card has Fcode and OpenBoot doesn't add it's package to the device tree. I assume it treats it like a non Fcode PCI card? Does it recognize the contents of the PCI base address registers? Try proding it's PCI registers and see if they behave as expected.
If the card is actually working and you can read the expansion rom I don't see why the Fcode didn't work. Maybe it has a later incompatible Fcode revision? Open boot 4.x 5.x? sun4u as opposed to something else? Or maybe the Fcode was designed to lock the card to a certain type of system (I doubt that).
http://www.sunshack.org/data/bootroms.html
Newer versions of openboot, and new hardware series listed at that link. Where's a more complete list?
Oh well, I guess I should bother to read up on this more thoroughly and finish the job.
Let me know if you find out what the problem was, or if you try that MAC card. Thanks.

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.

IBook screen flickers in Target Disk Mode or in Open Firmware

When booting in Target Disk or Open Firmware the screen seems to shift to one side showing a duplicate of the displayed image. In addidtion to this on the right hand side of the screen roughly about 1" wide the image is completely distorted. I'm not sure but I think the problem only occurs when the Power Adapter is plugged in (Still testing).
Update: The problem occurs with or without the power supply connected. In addition to the above the screen distortion can sometimes be intermittent and does not always distort in the same position as described above.

When you can't boot from any method it usually signals that one of 2 things (maybe both) have failed:
Motherboard
Hard drive - Some hard drive failures lock up the ATA controller so badly that the Mac can't boot from any device.

Open Firmware Password..oops

Today I decided to see if the startup disc on my external HD was working properly. I went to System Preferences and clicked over to the Maxtor as my prefered choice. I did not click the lock at the bottom. I then clicked Restart, everything on the desktop dismounted and the screen went dark and then came back up with the gray screen with the spinning wheel....and stayed there.
I noticed that there was a circle with a line through it and then I noticed that my iPod was still connected, it was dismounted and charging.
I shut off the power, to the iMac, disconnected the iPod and turned the power back on, and the gray screen with flashing folder with a question mark appeared.
I went to the MacBook and did a search in the discussions and the only thing I could find out was that I needed to boot from the install discs, hence the oops.
I have Undercover installed, and part of their setup is to enable the Open Firmware Password.
How can I get my iMac up and running if I can't use the install discs or target disc mode?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

ddougYo, I have the Orbicule software on 5 MAcs (it nearly got one that was stolen back for me too) and also had its predecessor, Lapcop which also used the Open Firmware Password utility.
You are not going to be able to boot up until you can get through the Firmware Password Utility and there are only two ways: the password itself, or the method that Baltwo has suggested. If the password is not working then you have possibly not entered it correctly.
If, for some strange (unidentified) reason that is not the case, then Baltwo's solution is all you have left. Have a look at the manual: getting the iMac's RAM out should not be hard. Do you have one or two modules? If one, try putting it in the other slot.

How the heck do you remove the Open Firmware?

Ok so here is the problem. I have a Powerbook G4 (the A1095 model). Now first off ever since I got the thing the second ram slot never worked. But my main problem is that anytime I try to boot form a DVD, use the Firewire, or reset the PRAM and NVRAM I keep getting asked for some password and a big lock button shows up.
Now after many weeks and almost completely giving up I found out that somehow open firmware was used to put in a password. Now I have tried absolutely every password I have ever used, and even some other things and nothing works.
I honestly don't know how this was even set but if it was from me it was obviously an accident. Now the other thing is that I don't have any ADMIN password. I have it set to blank so you just hit enter to login/install things. I wonder if this has anything to do with the open firmware issue???
I have tried as I said searching apple.com and many many many many many other places to find a way to fix this problem but can't find anything even close to a possible solution. I have 3 OSX boot disks, I have even tried using an Umbuntu CD to attempt to use the disk utility on there but nothing works.
To anyone out there I have tried letting the main batter AND the PRAM battery run dead and that still seams to change nothing. So I imagine its a saved file someplace on the main board. Oh and I also removed the Hard drive, and PRAM battery and attempted to boot like that but still nothing works.
I can boot up and use the computer just fine. Surfing the web, installing programs, etc. all work fine. I just can't use the FireWire transfer or Boot from anything but the main HD.
Please someone help me with this. I need to get my personal information off this computer and reinstall OSX on it. Oh and last thing, Im not sure if it has anything to do with it but the rear two fans do not seem to work either. My other G4 Powerbook seemed to have the same problem too though. Replacing the fans on that one fixed the issue.
Anyway I waisted over $500 to get another laptop (one model newer) all because of this problem and I really need to fix this so I don't have to worry about my personal information and I can finally either use it or sell it. This is such a frustrating issue, what can I do???
THANK YOU TO ANYONE WHO CAN HELP OR AT LEAST POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION (PLEASE DON'T TELL ME TO GO TO THE APPLE STORE. I HAVE FIXED PROBLEMS THEY COULDN'T BEFORE AND I CAN'T AFFORD THE $300 BILL TO HAVE THEM INSPECT IT, PLUS THIS MODEL IS OUT OF DATE AND THEY WON'T FIX THEM ANYMORE ANYWAY. FYI TO ALL YOU EARLY MODEL G4 USERS!)

Since http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352 says:
Warning: The Open Firmware Password can be reset and changed by any one of the following (except MacBook Air):
1-By any administrator user, as designated in the Accounts preferences (or in Server Admin).
2-Via physical access to the inside of the computer.
3-When the computer is started up in Mac OS 9.
I would try this suggestion: http://maczealots.com/tutorials/security/

Start-up problems, black screen or open firmware

My iBook G4 1.33GHz Dual USB, with 1 gb RAM memory has been troublesome lately. It's installed with the latest version of OS 10.4.9
When starting up the ibook, it will sometimes only show a black screen after the boot chime. Repeated force restart sometimes makes it boot up the open firmware (white screen).
Then I see the error message:
"Illegal instructions at: %SRR0:ff85e778 %SRR1:00081000"
When I continue on with "mac-boot", I get the blue screen with a question marked box. So it can't find the startup disk.
This usually only happens when I'm done working for the day and close the lid on my ibook without manually clicking on the sleep mode when I put in in my drawer,. I've seen several times that the screen is still on when I close the lid, so it will continue to burn battery time.
I've managed to get the ibook to boot properly after removing the battery and letting it "cool-down" for 15-20 min. Also, zapping pram, vram sometimes works, but I don't know how much that actually helped. It worked once when I typed in the reset-nvram in the open firmware screen too.
I'd rather not have this happen at all! Any suggestions? Is this the much-talked about RAM memory failure?
Any suggestions would be very appreciated.
Message was edited by: antony chen

HI,
*"I get the blue screen with a question marked box."*
That can mean several things. One, the drive is failing. Two, your iBook can't find a System Folder to boot from. Try booting while holding down the Option key which will prompt the Startup Manager window.
MemTest
Boot from your install disk and check the hard disk for errors.
Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu (Panther and earlier) or Utilities menu (Tiger and later) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel. It should say: Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
When you are finished with DU, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Manager.
Select your start up disk and click Restart
While you have the Disk Utility window open, look at the bottom of the window where you see Capacity and Available. Make sure there is always 15% free disk space. Not enough disk space can cause directory corruption.
If you cannot boot from your install disk, try booting in Safe Mode
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
Carolyn

PowerBook G4 boots to Open Firmware without keyboard access

Summary:
Let me provide a little backstory.
According to the [DARPA Visitor Guidelines|http://www.darpa.mil/body/visitor_guidelines.html] wireless network technology is prohibited from DARPA facilities. Laptops with a wireless card are required to be "disabled at the BIOS level".
Before an upcoming visit to DARPA I was told that I would need to make sure my laptop wireless card was disabled. I mentioned that Macs don't have BIOS but I'd look into doing it in Open Firmware. The response from DARPA was that no one has ever successfully brought an Apple laptop into the facility, and that I should procure a PC laptop for my visit. Ah, a challenge!
I booted into Open Firmware (⌘⌥OF), located the wireless card in the device tree, and removed two properties I figured the driver would be searching for: the vendor ID, and the product ID. I exited Open Firmware and continued to boot into Mac OS X v10.5.2.
Sure enough the System Profiler showed that no wireless card was installed. Success! Now I just need to make the device tree modifications persist between reboots.
It seemed the solution was to place the Open Firmware commands I issued to disable the card into nvramrc. So I set nvramrc to contain the same commands, and set use-nvramrc? to be true. I rebooted the machine but the card was still detected.
A bit [more research|http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/doc/805-4436/6j4719c8v?a=view] revealed that the device tree is not created by Open Firmware until after the nvramrc is executed. The solution is to build the device tree in the nvramrc and tell Open Firmware not to rebuild it. The documentation states that this is accomplished with the probe-all, install-console, and banner Forth commands. I added those commands to my nvramrc and rebooted. The contents of nvramrc:
probe-all install-console banner
dev wireless
" device-id" delete-property
" vendor-id" delete-property
The outcome... well technically the laptop has wireless disabled. Almost everything is disabled. The machine now boots directly into Open Firmware with a few ominous bits of output and no response from the keyboard.
no active package
Apple PowerBook5,6 6.4.9.1f1 BootROM built on 01/21/05 at 10:51:16
Copyright 1994-2005 Apple Computer, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Welcome to Open Firmware, the system time and date is 05/06/2008 10:00:00
Command security mode
To continue booting, type "mac-boot" and press return.
To shut down, type "shut-down" and press return.
ok
0 > _
The first sign that something has gone wrong is no active package. The second message just throws another wrench into the works: Command security mode. Yes, the Open Firmware password was enabled. In retrospect this was a bad thing to have set when mucking about in OF. I knew of the RAM change trick (see below) so this was not an issue at the time.
Question:
So the question is: What actions do I need to take to return the laptop to a useable state. That is, booting into Mac OS X.
*Attempted solutions:*
+1. Reset nvram+
The first and most obvious solution is to reset nvram using the snag key combination ⌘⌥PR. Unfortunately do to the firmware password being set, [all snag keys have been disabled|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352]. This means no target disk mode (⌘T), boot from CD (⌘C), boot from network (⌘N), etc... In any case an attempt at resetting nvram yields an additional message being appended to the Open Firmware screen:
Release keys to continue!_
+2. Reset nvram after changing amount RAM in system+
Luckily there is a work-around to firmware password protection. Changing the amount of RAM installed in the machine should allow the nvram zap snag to function. I removed one of the two 512MB DIMMS in the laptop and started up while holding down ⌘⌥PR. This results in the same message as above:
Release keys to continue!_
Not so lucky.
+3. Reset the Power Management Unit+
[Resetting the Power Management (PMU)|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=14449] is accomplished by removing the battery and disconnecting the power cord, and then holding down the power button for about 5 seconds. This had no effect besides resetting the system clock to 01/01/1904 00:00:41.
Getting more desperate...
+4. Search logic board for CUDA+
I [opened the machine|http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/PowerBook-G4-Al-15-Inch-1-5-1-67-BT-2-0 -LR/64] to search for a hidden [CUDA button|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86760]. As expected, a CUDA button does not exist on this model and the PMU reset is accomplished as noted in attempted solution 3.
+5. Remove internal battery+
Well the laptop is open now, so I tried removing the internal memory backup battery and revisited each of the above solutions. No success.
+6. Remove hard drive+
Again, since the laptop was open, why not remove the hard drive and see what happens. The machine wasn't even making it to the boot-loader hand-off so I didn't expect this to produce any results. No results produced.
Thinking crazy thoughts...
+7. Attempt a firmware update+
Firmware updates have a side effect of resetting the nvram. Also firmware updates are initiated very early in the startup process by holding down the power button until a tone is heard and the power light flashes. My thought was that I would grab a previous firmware update for this laptop and force it to be reapplied. Unfortunately there have been no updates to this model's firmware.
+8. Write my own firmware update script+
While investigating solution #7 I realized that the file BootROMFirmware installed by the firmware updaters for G5s and G4s machines are just Forth programs with a binary payload attached to the end. I learned [Forth|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forth(programminglanguage)]. The BootROMFirmware files are really cool, since they do everything from drawing the progress bar during the update, uncompressing and check-summing the binary payload, and generally making sure you don't brick your machine. In any case it seem entirely doable to write my own program in Forth and undo the evil I did before. I really only need to flip one bit. I needed the use-nvramrc? variable set to false. So I created this very simple Forth program:
\ debrickifier
setenv use-nvramrc? false
reset-all
The original firmware file had additional attributes set, a creator and file type of fw99. So I set those two attributes on my file as well. I ran strings on the firmware installer program and guessed that it was copying the file to /System/Library/CoreServices. So this is where I placed my Forth file. Reinstalled the drive and rebooted the laptop while holding down the power key to initiate a firmware install. No dice.
Its hard to tell why this is failing. The file may in the wrong place, have the wrong permissions. From what I've reviewed in the original files, the setenv and reset-all words should be available. Maybe the Firmware Update utilities are setting some other magic in nvram before the reboot.
I think I've covered all the different major solutions that I've attempted. Their might be a few more that I've forgotten to mention (like using an external USB keyboard). I still think that getting some Forth to execute via the firmware update mechanism could use some more exploration. My current worst case is that I'll replace the logic board, although I'd hate to do that when I know there are only a few bad bits flipped in a CMOS somewhere.
I'm hoping to snag the attention of the resident hardware/firmware guru that can shed some light upon the firmware update process, but any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Mark

For your next DARPA visit, another option might be to buy the cheapest possible third-party wireless card — it doesn't even need to work. Insert it into your Powerbook's CardBus slot before visiting DARPA, and turn Airport off in System Prefs. On arrival at DARPA, remove the card from the Powerbook and hand it to the security guard. Retrieve it from the guard as you leave, and turn Airport back on again when you get home or back to your office. Unable to comply with the letter of the dunderheaded regulation because you have no BIOS, you will be complying with the spirit of it instead, and no one will be the wiser.

I am having a Startup problem. Someone comes on the screen with Open Firmware to Startup. How can I reset the PRAM myself to solve this problem?

I am having a Startup problem. Someone comes on the screen with Open Firmware to Startup. How can I reset the PRAM myself to solve this problem?

Read these.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10330118-263.html

Start-up Problem - White Screen Open Firmware

Hi
Just turned my eMAc on and got a new beeping sound, the little light on the front flashed several times and then the screen went completely white with the following message;
Apple PowerMac 6,4 4.8.2f1 BootROM built on 03/11/04 at 09:18:55
Copyroght 1994 - 2004 Apple Computer, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Welcome to Open Firmware, the system time and date is: 07:26:35 10/20/2006
To continue booting, type "mac-boot" and press return
To shut down, type "shut-down" and press return
ok
0 >
I typed in 'mac-boot' and return and everything starts and 'appears' to work as normal.
I have shut down and restarted twice and the same thing happens. I also noticed that the push button switch seems to be sticking.
My question is - Is this a hardware issue (the start button is faulty) or is it a software (firmware, corrupt file)?
Many thanks for help and advice
Mick

It's possible it's a hardware problem, but first I'd suggest you try resetting Open Firmware:
At the 0 > prompt, type:
reset-nvram
and press Return
At the 0 > prompt, type:
set-defaults
and press Return
At the 0 > prompt, type:
reset-all
and press Return.
With luck, that will clear things and you'll be back to booting normally.
Hope this helps.

Long tone on start up and then goes into open firmware

I stumbled upon the older posts here and thought I'd add a solution.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6115258
It was about an emac starting up with a long tone and the led flashes a few times and then goes into Open firmware, and when doing "mac-boot" in open firmware, it attempts to start, shows the apple symbol, the screen goes dim and crashes.
It could be a bad power switch. To confirm - you can remove the emac case, be careful not to touch the motitor's picture tube. Find the cable to the power switch; with a small wire just touch together the black and red wires on the power switch cable (or it might be red and green). This will start the emac. If it boots up and runs OK then the power switch was bad. Not sure where to buy a new switch. I soldered and glued my switch together.
<Edited by Moderator>

Or, you'll find both the short pigtail-cabled nVidia graphics driven power switch and the version with a longer cable used with the AIT graphics driven models here* for a good deal less.
Note that the later ATI version can actually be used with either product generation.
*I may receive compensation as a result of parts or services being ordered by users specified at the link shown in this message.

IBook G4 - Black screen in open firmware

Hi, i have a strange problem with my iBook G4.
When switched on it chimes and starts loading but the screen is completely black (not no backlight but completely black). In otherwords it does not show the grey screen or apple logo.
Once the OS boots the blue screen comes up and everything works perfectly.
So the problem is that anything before the actual OS loads is black. That means the grey screen with apple logo, open firmware and the drive selection screen (if you boot holding ALT/OPT) are all black.
I have tried resetting the PMU, Pram and blindly (with black screen) in open firmware did reset-nram and reset-all but nothing changed.
It is a late 2004 iBook G4 1.2Ghz with 512MB ram, 30GB HD and OSX Leopard 10.5.8.

This is a strange one, isn't it?
I'd count my lucky stars that it will boot into the OS, and I'd be saving up for a new MacBook Pro (or used MacBook).
I'm going to kick this one around with some of the gang in the Lounge and see if any of them have any ideas about what may be causing this.
Good luck with it.

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.

Open firmware startup disk by default

I have an iMac which by default always goes to the open firmware startup disk screen. How do I get rid of this? I have tried zapping the PRAM, reinstalling the OS and a different hard drive. There are no problems w/ the functionality of the computer or the software and there are no symptoms to say that there is anything wrong w/ the computer. Just want to get rid of having to hit enter at the firmware startup disk screen every time I turn it on. Any suggestions please.

Mark, it appears that the defauly startup mode has been changed on your Mac.
Probably the easiest way to get back to normal is using a utility. I use the free utility OnyX. In OnyX go to Parameters>Login and at the bottom of the pane you can change your Mac's default startup mode.

Open Firmware Locked

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