i know this is hard to believe but someone basically changed my Bios Firmware password and also used a VT emulated hard drive on my laptop. Is that fixable or is it dead?
MacBook Air
That Mac is obviously busted. Contact Apple to get it fixed: Contact - Official Apple Support
Macs have no BIOS. If you are asking about an EFI Firmware Password then it was set by someone who had physical, hands-on access to that Mac. Same answer applies — if you don't know that password only Apple can remove it. Refer to Set a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support and scroll down to If you forgot your firmware password.
That Mac is obviously busted. Contact Apple to get it fixed: Contact - Official Apple Support
Macs have no BIOS. If you are asking about an EFI Firmware Password then it was set by someone who had physical, hands-on access to that Mac. Same answer applies — if you don't know that password only Apple can remove it. Refer to Set a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support and scroll down to If you forgot your firmware password.
Oh I assure you that the firmware was put on remotely, it is an intel MacBook Air.
It appears that you have been misled. Not only were you under the impression a Mac has a BIOS (which it does not) it is not possible to set an EFI Firmware Password without direct, hands-on access to it.
On the other hand it can be locked remotely using Activation Lock: Activation Lock on Apple devices - Apple Support.
I was thinking if there was another way.
There is not. That Mac is a brick. Return it for a refund.
That "lock" icon is the one shown in If your Mac doesn't start up all the way - Apple Support:
That one is asking for the EFI Firmware Password. It won't appear unless you are attempting to start from macOS Recovery or a startup disk other than the one selected in System Preferences: Change your Mac startup disk - Apple Support.
The Firmware Password may have been set long ago and never encountered until attempting either one of those startup options.
On the other hand if it has been remotely locked using Find My Mac then the System lock PIN code screen will appear.
Which one is preventing startup really doesn't matter though, because only a previous owner or authorized user of that Mac would have implemented them. They are designed to prevent theft or similar unauthorized use, which explains Apple's refusal to help.
It is probably too late for a return, but I would have returned that immediately and demanded a refund. I would have contacted the AG's office in the seller's state and registered a complaint. Apple has never "honored" used Macs unless they are still under a valid one year warranty or Applecare plan.
Oh I assure you that the firmware was put on remotely, it is an intel MacBook Air. Secondly at the time I bought the computer from Swappa, I assumed Apple would honor the sale but unfortunately Apple does not honor a sale from swappa and refused to fix the firmware problem. I was thinking if there was another way.
Well, I’m no liar but I will say I maybe forgotten the firmware password but I memorized it so I thought. D@wnstrider is pretty easy to remember. Flipmacs refused to do a return. I have been living with the assumption the 500 hardware was bricked but thanks for the confirmation
Yeah wish I knew that. Major bummer.
Is there a fix to the series of unfortunate incidents involving my MacBook Air?
