Q: Trying to reload snow leopard on Mac Pro A1186 \

Hey guys, this 2008 or so model unit has yosemite on it but the owner was messing around with the password and now can't get it so I am trying to reload SL on it. Following the usual instructions of holding down the C key after the chime is not working and it's booting straight to the user accounts page. I have the SL Disc inside an attached external USB Optical drive and I am using my regular windows keyboard and mouse on this desktop. I tried restarting holding Alt key, doesn't work. I tried restarting the Command [windows key] and R keys pressing the windows and R keys is showing a screen as in the attached pic, guess it's looking for the password, help please?

Posted on Dec 14, 2015 5:40 AM

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Q: Trying to reload snow leopard on Mac Pro A1186 \

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by Grant Bennet-Alder,

Grant Bennet-Alder Dec 14, 2015 9:39 AM in response to mikehende
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Dec 14, 2015 9:39 AM in response to mikehende

A1186 indicate one of {Mac Pro 1,1 2006, Mac Pro 2,1 2007, Mac Pro 3,1 2008}

the lock could indicate the drive is encrypted, but more likely it indicates the firmware is password-protected, and the firmware-password will be required to make the changes you desire.

Do you know and trust the original owner?
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by lllaass,

lllaass Dec 14, 2015 9:51 AM in response to mikehende
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Dec 14, 2015 9:51 AM in response to mikehende

Lock icon
If you set a firmware password on your Mac, you might see a lock icon at startup if you try to start your Mac from another volume like an external drive or OS X Recovery. Enter your firmware password to continue starting up.

On your old mac, this should work
http://osxdaily.com/2009/10/19/bypass-mac-firmware-password/
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by mikehende,

mikehende Dec 14, 2015 10:12 AM in response to lllaass
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Dec 14, 2015 10:12 AM in response to lllaass

There are 2 password accounts on the screen, I had seen the guy's name on of the accounts, the other is "Guest" so I have to believe all is genuine. In the link given it's showing instructions for a macbook, would it work the same if I reseat the ram in this desktop? Also, how can I get back to the original login screen again please?
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by lllaass,

lllaass Dec 14, 2015 10:19 AM in response to mikehende
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Dec 14, 2015 10:19 AM in response to mikehende

Yes, the MacBook instructions should work. You may have to take out the coin battery too since that is the same as removing the battery of a MacBook.
That covers the firmware password,
Once yo get rid of that boot from an install DVD and format the startup disk and install OSX from disk
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by mikehende,

mikehende Dec 14, 2015 10:23 AM in response to lllaass
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Dec 14, 2015 10:23 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks, I am looking for instructions on how to open this case but typing "how to open a MAC desktop" is showing imac instructions, can you tell what search words I can use for this machine please to get the instructions?
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by lllaass,

lllaass Dec 14, 2015 10:38 AM in response to mikehende
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Dec 14, 2015 10:38 AM in response to mikehende

Here is the manual for the 2006 Mac Pro the 2207 and 2008 are similar
https://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Mac_Pro_User_Guide.pdf
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by mikehende,

mikehende Dec 14, 2015 10:46 AM in response to lllaass
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Dec 14, 2015 10:46 AM in response to lllaass

Appreciate it, get back to you guys.
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by mikehende,

mikehende Dec 14, 2015 11:01 AM in response to mikehende
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Dec 14, 2015 11:01 AM in response to mikehende

I pulled the both ram cards out but I am not sure how to remove the battery, on page 51 of the manual it doesn't exactly say how to do so, it only shows an arrow, can you offer any help please as I don't want to risk breaking the lever on top of the battery?
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by mikehende,

mikehende Dec 14, 2015 11:02 AM in response to mikehende
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Dec 14, 2015 11:02 AM in response to mikehende
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by mikehende,

mikehende Dec 14, 2015 12:17 PM in response to mikehende
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Dec 14, 2015 12:17 PM in response to mikehende

Alright, I am up to here now having removed and replaced the battery so have to go to step 8

6) Gently wiggle the RAM card out and put it aside, you will put it back later(do NOT touch the gold bars on the front; you could break it)
7) Replace the L-bracket and put the battery back in
8 ) Boot up the computer while holding COMMAND+OPTION+P+R (this resets the parameter ram)

but before I should so now, on my windows keyboard, is the windows key the Command key and the Alt key the Options key please?
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by mikehende,

mikehende Dec 14, 2015 2:04 PM in response to mikehende
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Dec 14, 2015 2:04 PM in response to mikehende

Well, that didn't work. I can only get into the Guest account and it shows the drive is encrypted so I guess nothing can be done but I appreciate the help, thanks!
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by lllaass,

lllaass Dec 14, 2015 2:24 PM in response to mikehende
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Dec 14, 2015 2:24 PM in response to mikehende

What if you boot from install DVD and format the drive?
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by mikehende,

mikehende Dec 14, 2015 2:31 PM in response to lllaass
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Dec 14, 2015 2:31 PM in response to lllaass

It won;t boot the disk due to the drive being encrypted
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by lllaass,

lllaass Dec 14, 2015 2:42 PM in response to mikehende
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Dec 14, 2015 2:42 PM in response to mikehende

An encrypted drive does not prevent erasing/formatting that drive when booted from another drive or DVD.
The screen you showed appears to be for a firmware passwords which does prevent doing that erasing
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