Purchased a second hand MacBook Air. After running the setup assistant I get a pop up “Password to Macintosh HD - data" clue -,.

Question

Level 1

0 points

Purchased a second hand MacBook Air. After running the setup assistant I get a pop up “Password to Macintosh HD - data" clue -,.

After searching on the forums, it seems this is a common problem. The seller informed me that he had performed a clean format of the previous data, and effectively when I turned on the computer it started the installation assistant and did not let me log in until I had chooses the language, keyboard configuration, inserted my Apple ID… everything seemed normal.

Now after a couple of reboots I get this weird pop up after login in “Password to Macintosh HD - data" clue -,.

I have contacted the previous owner and he says he doesn’t know what that is.

I am faced with a doubt, is this an Apple bug, or has the previous owner access to my machine, to get hold of my information, by creating a Trojan door? On the other hand how does setup assistant run if the previous information has not been completely removed? I have read here in the forums that the buyer should do a new format of the disk… if however there is no Apple bug and there is actually intent from the seller to gain access to my private information, this constitutes a crime.

Can anyone share some knowledge on this, is this an Apple bug, or can this be intent by the seller to discover my bank details, passwords and such? Thanks

Posted on Mar 20, 2024 3:46 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Community+ 2026

Level 9

75,274 points

Mar 20, 2024 5:21 PM in response to marcosevo

The previous owner probably did not properly erase the drive properly (common mistake). Even if the previous owner did properly prepare the computer, I still recommend that people perform their own clean install of the OS just to make sure it is done properly. Plus it can sometimes reveal if the Mac has a firmware password lock (Intel Macs), or if the Mac is still being managed by the previous owner.

I highly recommend you first create a bootable macOS USB installer while you can so it may give you more options if something goes wrong (this USB installer is less useful for the 2018-2020 Intel Macs).

You need to boot to a macOS installer (USB or Recovery Mode) to erase the disk (while this link is for Intel Macs, the article contains a link for Apple Silicon M-series Macs):

Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support

After erasing the disk as described in the Apple article, you need to quit Disk Utility and select "Install macOS".

If you see a padlock on the screen, or if you see any notices about the laptop being managed during the initial boot of the clean OS, then you should return the laptop for a full refund.

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 20, 2024 5:14 PM in response to marcosevo

Assuming you have full access to this Mac, I'd recommend wiping it clean just as you would if you were to sell it or trade it in. This Apple Support article describes how to reset your Mac: What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 3

marcosevo Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2024 4:02 PM in response to marcosevo

After searching on the forums, it seems this is a common problem but I’ll explain better. The seller informed me on the purchase moment that he had performed a clean format of the previous data, and effectively when I turned on the computer it started the installation assistant and did not let me log in until I had chosen the language, keyboard configuration, inserted my Apple ID… everything seemed normal with the machine.

Now after a couple of reboots I get this weird pop up after login “Password to Macintosh HD - data" and “clue -,.”

I have contacted the previous owner and he says he doesn’t know what that is.

I am faced with a dilema: is this a simple and common Apple bug, or has the previous owner left an access to my machine to get hold of my information, by leaving a “Trojan” door open? I’m divided here because the assistant should not run unless a clean format has been performed right? If however there is no Apple bug here, and there is actually intent from the seller to gain access to my private information, this constitutes a crime.

Can anyone share some knowledge on this topic, is this an Apple bug or can this be intent by the seller to discover my bank details, passwords and such information? How can I discover which one is it? For all I know I might have bought a computer from a hacker 🤔

Cheers and thanks for your inputs and experience on this issue.

Reply

Purchased a second hand MacBook Air. After running the setup assistant I get a pop up “Password to Macintosh HD - data" clue -,.

Similar questions