Open Firmware Password for Intel MAcs

I had used this application and password protection for my G4's. Does it work for Intel Macs?
20" iMac Core Duo 2/ 14 iBook [1 ghz] Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Yes,this support article says that Intel does support open firmware password and gives the steps to set.
-mj
[email protected]
Message was edited by: macjack

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How can you set a Firmware Password for Intel Macs?

PPC macs can use the Open Firmware Password utility to protect the computer from someone booting of another drive to access your data http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106482
How can this same protection be accomplished with Intel-Macs? Intel Macs use a different fireware/boot process, so OFP above doesn't work. according to the apple article above, it can be done - but it doesn't explain how:
"Intel-based Macintosh computers can be protected by firmware passwords as well. The firmware in an Intel-based computer uses Extended Firmware Interface (EFI) technology"

all I get is...
Your Firmware is too old.
The firmware on your machine is too old for Open Firmware Password to function. You will need 4.1.7 or later to use this application. Please visit the Apple website to get the latest firmware update for your system.

Has Anything Replaced Open Firmware Password?

Has Anything Replaced Open Firmware Password?

It's a loaded question you're using in someways. If what you mean is, "Is there an Open Firmware equivalent for Intel-based Macs?" then the answer is yes. See the following Apple KB article for full details: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1352
======
YES, that's what I meant. I have a late 2010 MacBook Pro w/ Core-i7 CPU
I read the article and I find confusing info. In one paragraph it says Intel Macs use EFI and in the following paragraph It says "Any Intel Based Mac" can use Open Firmware*
"All Intel-based Macintosh computers support firmware password protection.
The following Apple computers can use the Open Firmware Password application:
▪ iMac (Slot Loading) and later models of G3 iMac
▪ iMac (Flat Panel) and later models of G4 iMac
▪ iMac G5 and later models of G5 iMac
▪ iBook - all models, both G3- and G4-based
▪ eMac - all models
▪ PowerBook (FireWire)
▪ PowerBook G4 and later models of G4 PowerBook
▪ Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics) and later models of G4 Power Mac
▪ Power Mac G4 Cube - all models
▪ Power Mac G5 and later models of G5 Power Mac
▪ Any Intel-based Mac*
▪ MacBook Air: see MacBook Air: Recovering a lost EFI firmware password"
So do I use Open Firmware or EFI?
"Apple make up your mind please..."

Firmware Password Protection for Intel Macs?

PPC macs can use the Open Firmware Password utility to protect the computer from someone booting of another drive to access your data http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106482
How can this same protection be accomplished with Intel-Macs? Intel Macs use a different fireware/boot process, so OFP above doesn't work. according to the apple article above, it can be done - but it doesn't explain how:
"Intel-based Macintosh computers can be protected by firmware passwords as well. The firmware in an Intel-based computer uses Extended Firmware Interface (EFI) technology"

Install DVD1 apparently has a Universal Binary called 'Open Firmware Password' on it that works just the way it did on PPC Mac's (not tried it personally)
According to this post it was fixed in 10.4.6

Intel iMac, Open Firmware Password Protection and booting from CD

I have an Intel iMac I'm setting up for use in a public library. I want to prevent single user login with the Open Firmware Password Protection utility, but if I do, how do I boot from the OS disc, zap PRAM, etc? The OFPP page has instructions on removing the OF password, but it does not work on Intel Mac's. Also, is there an alternative way to prevent single user login?

No, you were right, I just misunderstood. Technically it's called single-user mode. But, you were right.
Anyway,
Since it seems that there might not be an answer directly related to your topic you could maybe give this a try.
In Simple Finder the user can not restart or shutdown. They can only sleep and log out.
The other problem, however, is if they log out then there are those Sleep, Restart, and Shut Down buttons on the login screen. Luckily, though they can be turned off.
So as of now, if some is logged in in a Simple Finder account they can not restart or shut down the computer in order to get into single-user mode. They can also not get into the Administer account since it is password protected.
The only problem I can see with this is that a person could do a hard shut down, hold the power button down until it turns off, and then boot up and enter single-user mode.
If you want to go ahead and do this, in order to get the computer up and running in the mean time, just post back and I'll be glad to help you set up a Simple Finder account.

Fix for RAM removable Open Firmware Password?

Hello people from Apple Discussions,
I have a burning question that has been tormenting me for years.
Mac OSX is branded as supposedly the safest operating system around today.
What completely astounds me though is that any user password can be quickly hacked, by booting into the Single User Mode where you immediately gain root access.
In my search for a fix I have come across semi-solutions like:
"install an open firmware password!"
I felt relieved, reassured and assumed my problem was solved.
Unfortunately this is bloody useless because one could remove a RAM module and voila! Gone is the Open Firmware Password.
What alternative (other than to permanently glue to ram module in place) is there to this security hole that exists today?
Thank you all very much for reading.
I hope this gets fixed, for the sake of all mac users.
Very Kind regards,
Luuc.

I don't believe Open Firmware passwords are stored in RAM. I believe it's an electrically programmable EAROM. Pulling a RAM module shouldn't affect the security of the computer.
You can take it to ridiculous levels. What's to stop someone from just removing the disk drives? If someone has physical access to your computer then they can get into it and see anything that's not encrypted.

Firmware password for G4 PowerPc Mac Mini

Hi,
I need to set a firmware password for an older mini using a G4 processor. Open Firmware Password does not support this model. Internet searches have given some answers, but wanted to hear from other sources before taking any action. Please advise if anyone has experience in this area.

It may not support it officially, but it certainly works. I have three minis with this installed.

Open Firmware password works or doesn't work on MBP?

I'm confused...
This article describes how to set up Open Firmware Password on Macs, including, Intel-based Macs and even states what OFP disables on Intel-based Macs when enabled:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106482
just to finish the article at the bottom with the following sentence:
"Note that Intel-based Macintosh computers do not use Open Firmware. Thesesteps do not apply to Intel-based machines."
So, what is what? OFP works or not on MBP? If yes then what works and what doesn't?
I've read one post here stating that it didn't stop booting from CD at all.
An expert advice will be appreciated.

I'm another confused MBP user.
I have a 15" MacBook Pro (MBP) and want to protect the Intel based machine using Apple's Open Firmware Application.
Since the MBP doesn't have an open firmware layer, how do you apply a firmware password? Apple's site is of no help and has conflicting information.
I tried the OF Application (V 1.1) from the Tiger install DVD and receive a message about my firmware being too old to use with the application. The MBP SMC version is 1.2f10 and the Boot ROM is version MBP11.0055.B03. Both are current.
Has anyone been successful???
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.

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.

Open Firmware Password Doesn't Work

I've been using O.F.P. v 1.05 on both my computers for over a year. All has been well until recently. Now when I reboot holding down the option key I either get the O.F.P. screen without the password line so I can choose any bootable disk or I get the password line, but when I enter the password nothing happens and I have to reboot normally.
Both computers running 10.4.3 with all latest updates.
What's going on?

Well, I just searched the Apple Support Knowledge Base and found this text here at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106482. In the section "How to enable the Open Firmware Password" it says right in the first paragraph:
1. For Mac OS X 10.1 to 10.3.9, Download and Install the Open Firmware Password application, which you can get here. For Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must use the updated version that can be copied from the software installation disc (located at /Applications/Utilities/ on the disc).
The link for version prior to 10.4.x leads to OFP 1.0.2, so 1.0.5 might already be the updated version that ships with Tiger. I can not check right now because I am not at home where my copy of Tiger is; maybe others can check it in the meantime.
If you not already have done so, maybe you could try to update 10.4.x to the latest version (which is 10.4.3) and get all other available patches as well, just to make sure.
Regards
Jim
AiPB 15 1,25 GHz;; iMac 17 1 GHz (flat panel) Mac OS X (10.4.3)
UPDATE: And I doublechecked that I am indeed running version 1.1 (1) of OFP on my installation. I am not aware of having it updated manually, so it must either have been this all along since I installed Tiger or been updated in the procress.
Message was edited by: Jim Knopf

HELP NEEDED URGENTLY .... please! (open firmware password vs. startup disc)

Hi
1. Macbook Pro 2.33 - I had Bootcamp installed.
2. Decided to delete it... went through Bootcamp procedure
3. Mac restarted - then came up with a flashing folder icon, meaning it couldn't find the startup drive.
4. Forced restart again... and tried pressing ALT key to select Macintosh_HD - it asked for my OPEN FIRMWARE PASSWORD - i only ever use 1 password - I know exactly what this is, as I had turned it on/off before by going to utilities>open firmware.
I don't want to take RAM out... is there another way? I thought if a CD was put in it could trick firmware... by pressing the space bar... though it didn't work
I'm stumped! Anybody willing to help?
Thanks loads in advance!
Pixel.

Boot from Install DVD1 holding down 'C'
Then 'Reset Password' ?
or ...
1. Start up into Open Firmware by pressing and
holding the Command-Option-O-F key combination
during startup.
2. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-nvram
3. Press Return.
4. When prompted for your password, enter it and
press the Return key.
5. It responds OK.
6. At the Open Firmware prompt, type: reset-all
7. Press Return.
This only works with PPC Macs. I have been looking for a way to do something similar with my MBP and have been unsuccessful thus far.
Frank

Protect macbook with Open Firmware password

Hi. I'd like to protect my MacBook air by enable an Open Firmware password.
How can I do it ?

Open Firmware was available in PowerPC-based Macs, so your MacBook Air hasn't got it. Instead, it's a EFI firmware password, that will ask you for a password every time you want to start in a mode different than the normal one (without holding any key while your Mac is starting up).
To enable it, hold Command and R keys while your Mac is starting to start up into OS X Recovery. Then, go to Utilities menu (on the menu bar) > Firmware Password Utility, and enable it.
Don't forget the password. Only Apple knows how to reset it, so you will have problems

Open Firmware Password Protection?

Anyone had any luck setting this up? I don't see it on the DVD... I am hesitant to use the one from my Tiger CDs... anyone know how to setup Open Firmware Password Protection on Leopard?

Thanks for detailing your solution Mac Campbell.
Unfortunately I can't locate the Firmware Password Protection application in the directory you listed nor any other folder for that matter. I'm not confident its been installed on my system (clean install of Leopard btw). Could you please confirm its exact location for this Terminal newbie.
Many thanks in advance.
Steve

Reset or change Open Firmware Password

I recently set up a few computers with an Open Firmware Password.
I've read the following information on the Apple Support Site:
+Important: If you reset the PRAM or Open Firmware, you need to reselect your startup device prior to resetting the Open Firmware Password.+
+Warning: The Open Firmware Password can be reset and changed by any one of the following:+
+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.+
Here it says that an administrator can reset or change the Open Firmware Password, but it does not say how to do it. Can someone explain how I can reset or change a password.
Message was edited by: StefSOFT

Insert your "Mac OS X Install Disc" for Leopard, it contains a program to set and reset the firmware password. Because the corresponding folder on the disc is hidden you have to change directory by choosing "Go to folder" from the "Go to" Finder menu and typing in the dialog box:
/Volumes/Mac OS X Install Disc 1/Applications/Utilities
Now Finder will display the contents of that folder. Copy "Firmware-Password" to your Applications folder. You have to be an administrator in order to change the password with that program. Let me know if that worked for you.
floba

Open Firmware Password for Intel MAcs

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