Q: 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!)
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!)
A1095, Mac OS X (10.5.8)
Posted on Oct 3, 2010 8:34 PM