I purchased in 2012 a MacBook Pro 13". The machine is still fairly unused. Problem is that all Passwords including Firevault Key are lost and cannot be recovered. Visiting the apple store, I was told Apple can not assist in recovering and rebooting the machine without the invoice as they do not have the records of 2012. Does this mean I literally have a machine that could never be used again?
Are you talking about a Filevault or login issue or are you talking about a EFI Firmware Lock?
Do you see the screen shown in this Apple article?
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204455
If so, then the only way to remove the firmware lock is by using the correct password or taking the laptop to an Apple Store or an AASP along with providing valid proof of purchase. Otherwise you will only be able to boot this laptop to the internal drive since the firmware lock disables all other methods of booting the computer.
If you are having a login or Filevault issue, then try resetting the user account password using this Apple article:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202860
If you cannot reset the password and don't have a Filevault recovery key, then you won't be able to access or recover data from this laptop unless you have a backup. You can, however, perform a clean install of macOS by first booting into Internet Recovery Mode and erasing the whole drive by using this Apple article as a guide:
Are you talking about a Filevault or login issue or are you talking about a EFI Firmware Lock?
Do you see the screen shown in this Apple article?
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204455
If so, then the only way to remove the firmware lock is by using the correct password or taking the laptop to an Apple Store or an AASP along with providing valid proof of purchase. Otherwise you will only be able to boot this laptop to the internal drive since the firmware lock disables all other methods of booting the computer.
If you are having a login or Filevault issue, then try resetting the user account password using this Apple article:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202860
If you cannot reset the password and don't have a Filevault recovery key, then you won't be able to access or recover data from this laptop unless you have a backup. You can, however, perform a clean install of macOS by first booting into Internet Recovery Mode and erasing the whole drive by using this Apple article as a guide:
Lost Invoice and Firevault Key
