Imac - Firmware lock

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Imac - Firmware lock

A few weeks back my dad bought a Imac used, and we decided to upgrade in ourselves with an SATA SSD instead of the fusion drive it came with.

Upon restarting we where meet with a black screen showing a lock and a password field. Searching on the web it seemed that the device has its firmware locked with a password, disallowing e.g. swapping or booting off external drives.

We spoke with the lady who sold it (she had bought it new, and only had it for a week), but according to her she haven't assigned any of the sort.

We have the original recite from the warehouse chain it was purchased from (which they confirmed), and opon speaking to them they promised to contact their supplier.

My question is ...

Would putting the original drive back in allow us to boot OSX again? Or does the lock stick regardless of swapping back?
Could this have something to do with "Find my mac"? She later called saying she had recieved 4 numbers, however entering them didn't unlock the device. Its also showing the back screen, not a bunch of boxes requesting a pin. I'm almost 100% sure the original owner wouldn't have booted in recovery mode, enabled firmware password and then forgot about it, but could this be activated though the "Find my mac" software?

Thanks in advance.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Dec 23, 2019 4:33 PM

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Answer 1

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Barney-15E

Level 10

116,200 points

Dec 24, 2019 4:52 AM in response to iglouser

It was strange that she recieved a pin code after we booted on the new drive, yet we needed an actual password to unlock the system

If she got a notification when you tried to log in, then it likely is FMM. You may have to walk her through the steps to remove the device from her AppleID.

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

116,200 points

Dec 23, 2019 5:58 PM in response to iglouser

If possible, you can try removing the RAM and replacing. Older Macs could be reset that way. I don't remember when that was changed. If that doesn't work, you have to take it to an Apple Store or certified repair center with the proof of ownership.

The Firmware password is not restricted to the drive. It is part of the firmware in the Mac itself.

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Answer 3

iglouser Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 23, 2019 7:10 PM in response to Barney-15E

Thanks for the reply Barney :)

Thing is, its not an old Imac. The seller bought it new about a month ago (Imac 2017 21.5inch), but wanted a laptop instead.

I understand the firmware password isn't restricted to the drive, it is however the change of such that prompts the system to request password verification. Once the user creates a password for the firmware the system keeps tabs on the current main drive, any changes or requests for booting off external sources will request this password. Much like software installation requiring root access.

My question is whether popping back the original would allow us to boot up again (it did prior to changing drives), or if system remains locked regardless once engaged.

And again, could this firmware password business be due to the prior users "Find my mac" protection thingy?

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Answer 4

iglouser Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 23, 2019 8:49 PM in response to Barney-15E

AFAIK the FMM does use a pin code, but I was wondering if there would be any way she could've activated the "firmware password mode" without doing so manually, perhaps though her Apple account preference or some GPO. It was strange that she recieved a pin code after we booted on the new drive, yet we needed an actual password to unlock the system

According to my dad she wasn't tech savvy at all, quite the opposite, and not the kind of person to enable this manually through recovery mode.

Like you said, attempting to boot in recovery mode would prompt for the password as well, so we'll need to sort it out with Apple either way. It would've been nice getting the system to boot though, as its basically bricked at the moment.

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Answer 5

iglouser Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 24, 2019 6:27 AM in response to Barney-15E

Think you might be right, though its strange that the firmware lock is engaged (typing her pin didnt help). Will try and get her to remove the device. Thanks a lot for the support, I really appreciate it :), and Merry Xmas.

-cheers

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Answer 6

Barney-15E

Level 10

116,200 points

Dec 24, 2019 10:23 AM in response to iglouser

Yeah, I find it all confusing such that I'm not sure what is going on.

It does sound like the Firmware password has been set, but as you explained, it is not likely. Perhaps someone set it up for her?

Merry Christmas

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Answer 7

iglouser Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 27, 2019 11:58 AM in response to iglouser

Just for further reference, we tried swapping back the fusion drive but firmware lock remained. Took it to a aut. service provider who told us it was no biggy. They just send it's id to Apple to get a unlock code, a relief as I had feared it being troublesome and expensive to reset (which it wasn't).

Once again, thanks :)

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