During MacBook Pro setup wizard after "fresh" install: "Enter Password for Other iMac"

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Level 1

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During MacBook Pro setup wizard after "fresh" install: "Enter Password for Other iMac"

This is similar to some other "enter password for other" posts, but slightly different as it happened during the initial setup wizard. Got a used MacBook Pro, seemingly a fresh install, and after going through much of the setup wizard, got this prompt to "Enter Password for Other iMac".

I force-quit the wizard and the computer rebooted in to seemingly normal operation, minus a few settings and preferences that weren't saved (though chosen) in the wizard. Have been using lightly a few days now and everything seems fine, but just want to be sure there's nothing nefarious going on, or anything innocuous or accidental but that could give someone else access to my computer, network, keychain, etc...

Is there some virus or malware detection software to be sure?

Thanks in advance for any ideas or advice!

Dave

MacBook Pro (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Jul 10, 2023 1:47 PM

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Answer 1

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HWTech

Level 9

60,206 points

Jul 10, 2023 5:17 PM in response to dave22nelson

I'm not sure what this is, but it seems like this Mac was not properly prepared for sale by the previous owner. You can try your own clean install of macOS to see if you still get this, but I would probably return it for a full refund. If this Mac is still being managed by a previous owner, then sometimes you may not always get notice right away even with a clean install...I've seen it take days before you may notice a notification. Make sure the Mac is connected to the Internet when installing macOS and running Setup Assistant to configure the Mac for first use since if it is being managed, it will most likely show some sign of it sooner rather than later.

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Answer 2

dave22nelson Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 10, 2023 11:57 PM in response to HWTech

Thanks for your input! I couldn’t find any other leads so did try to wipe and install, with no luck. There's no more “secure erase” option in Disk Utility (supposedly due to the nature of SSDs), but it seemed there was a partition or separate volume I couldn't edit, so after a few mins “erasing” and an hour reinstalling, the exact same thing happened during the setup wizard. So frustrating, if a computer isn't actually stolen and intended to be sold that it's a circus to do a full wipe and legit fresh install ny either buyer or seller. BackMarket where I got it from is no help and just wants to exchange it, which is cool enough though I really had some work to get done these next few weeks. At any rate, sincere thanks again for your help and thoughts on this.

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Answer 3

PRP_53

Level 10

91,123 points

Jul 11, 2023 2:50 AM in response to dave22nelson

User wrote " Got a used MacBook Pro, " and " BackMarket where I got it from ".

Ouch, this computer may have been acquired from Company which had the computer Enrolled in a Mobile Digital Management Service ( MDM )

Should that be true and accurate - the Serial Number of this machine is Register with the MDM

It also means, that not matter how often the Drive is Wiped, by any means including Secure Wipe.

The MDM service will have the Serial Number still registered

They can eventually take Total Control of this machine by installing their MDM Software onto it - remotely

So, in effect, this machine may be in your possession but not really controlled by you

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During MacBook Pro setup wizard after "fresh" install: "Enter Password for Other iMac"

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