Overriding the firmware password

My late model 2011 MBP was stolen last week. I had firmware password set and I had an tracking software installed.
I understand having researched online that you cannot reset the firmware password on a late model 2011 MBP by removing the ram and L plate and resetting pram 3 times.
So I was wondering how it was that the person/persons involved in taking my MBP had managed to evade password protected laptop?
Would it be simply the case of removing the hard drive and reinserting a new one with preinstalled known account & operating system?
Thanks for your feedback.. I'm hoping this may help me set up my new laptop more securely.
Thanks Metso

Or the same one. I wondered about that, too. Too much to be coincidence, I thought. But stranger things have happened.

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First, your misunderstanding that term. In this case "low level" refers to relative to the OS and software on the computer. The firmware is, technically, software, but unlike the OS and applications that run from the hard drive, firmware is actually flashed onto volatile RAM chips on the motherboard. Firmware runs independently and does not need the OS to work - it is completely selfcontained and actually includes the initial bootloader code that literally bootstraps the hardware so the OS can even be read from the hard drive and loaded in memory.
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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.
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You have other problems on your computer, then, or not reading carefully. Note this:
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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.

Overriding the firmware password

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