Mac mini shows lock icon and won't boot- Please Help!

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Mac mini shows lock icon and won't boot- Please Help!

After restarting my 1.42GHZ Mac mini G4 (A1103), running 10.4.11, it displays a lock icon, a blank field, and a right arrow. This happens when I hold option. When I don't, the alternating folder with a question mark and folder with the Finder icon appear. When I type, hidden characters appear (like when entering a password) in the field. I tried changing the memory, then the hard drive, and dusting out the inside. The lock icon, field, and arrow look like this: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/5587459822d1a6217525b.jpg

1.42 GHZ Mac Mini G4 A1103, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 80GB Seagate, 30GB Toshiba

Posted on Apr 3, 2011 6:25 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Niel

Level 10

732,125 points

Apr 3, 2011 7:49 PM in response to macvspc97

I held C to boot from the DVD, but it just showed the folder with the Finder icon. Could it have to do with the PRAM battery?

No. It's due to the Open Firmware password. You need to get it or take the computer to an Apple Store or AASP before you can do anything with it.

(57623)

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Answer 2

Niel

Level 10

732,125 points

Apr 3, 2011 6:32 PM in response to macvspc97

After restarting my 1.42GHZ Mac mini G4 (A1103), running 10.4.11, it displays a lock icon, a blank field, and a right arrow.

Enter the computer's Open Firmware password into it; you will likely also need a Mac OS X install DVD to fix the computer. If you don't have both, contact the person you got the computer from for them, and if that isn't possible, take it to an Apple Store or AASP.

(57619)

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Answer 3

macvspc97 Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 3, 2011 7:46 PM in response to macvspc97

I held C to boot from the DVD, but it just showed the folder with the Finder icon. Could it have to do with the PRAM battery? I don't know if that's what it is, but there's a small Panasonic watch battery in the front. Could it be dead? Would it even power on if it were?

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Answer 4

VnZppr

Level 1

4 points

Jul 21, 2011 8:41 AM in response to Niel

You don't need a start-up disc and you don't need to take your machine to the Apple Store. Simply pull one of the two memory sticks from your machine and then do a PRAM reset, allowing the machine to chime three times before letting up on the keys. The machine will now boot up normally.

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Answer 5

Oct 18, 2011 2:19 AM in response to VnZppr

AWESOME reply!!!! Sorry for the caps but really, this is one of the most awesome answers I've ever found in the forums. This has saved me all kinds of time and headaches.

I'd been trying to install a bigger HD in my 2007 Macbook and I'd tried 2 different hard disks, one from a used Macbook Pro and one from a used 2010 Macbook, but apparently both were password protected. I'd bought them ages ago and have emailed the sellers, but hadn't heard back from them and I was pulling my hair out. I'd tried to boot from DVD and external hard drive, but no go. All I got was the padlock symbol and the windows to insert a password.

This tip worked! Absolutely fantastic! A million thanks.

And just for the record, why on earth does this trick work? Obviously pulling one of the memory sticks before doing a PRAM reset makes all the difference, as I'd already tried a normal PRAM reset, which didn't solve the problem. Anyway, it did the trick. Thanks again!

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Answer 6

Apr 2, 2013 2:30 PM in response to macvspc97

@moonshot - This totally fixed the issue I was having where my macbook would not see a brand new Crucial SATA III SSD. I went down many a rabbit trail until I yanked one of the memory modules and reset the PRAM as you suggested. Thanks!

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