Firmware Password on MacBook Pro 2011 (10.6.8 Intel)

Question

Firmware Password on MacBook Pro 2011 (10.6.8 Intel)

Hello,

Please read this entire post before commenting below.

I am requiring access of the boot selector menu on my MacBook Pro.

Whenever I try and get to the menu, the firmware password box shows up. I am trying to change / remove said password.

My MacBook was bought under a bulk deal with 300 others, and each one contains the same firmware password.

I do not know the firmware password, and I am unable to open up my computer and add / remove any RAM.

I do not have access to the boot CD either.

Please do help me out on this issue.

I am entirely certain that removing / replacing the firmware password is possible without opening the computer / using the boot CD, as I have seen a colleague gain access to the menu without doing either.

Regards,

Rowan Crothers

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on May 30, 2012 2:52 AM

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Answer 1

May 30, 2012 3:09 AM in response to Rowan_Crothers

You don't need any firmware password to add RAM to a Mac. Just find out what kind of memory you need for your particular model - either at Crucial, Corsair or OWC, usually - buy the RAM and follow the user guide to install it. Then use one of a myriad of utilities to check the RAM and make sure it's working.

Clinton

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Answer 2

May 30, 2012 3:14 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Not sure as to whether or not I made this clear enough.

I am unable to open my MacBook and add / remove any RAM.

I have a physical impairment, which makes it too difficult for me to change any of the contents inside my MacBook without being at risk of damaging any of the other interior parts.

And I am 110% certain that this is possible without opening up the MacBook whatsoever.

Regards,

Rowan Crothers

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Answer 3

May 30, 2012 3:22 AM in response to Rowan_Crothers

Rowan,

I, too, have a physical impairment - I've had my legs amputated! If you'll just walk it to me, I'll install the RAM as my arms and hands are fine!

Seriously, though, you'll have to open up your MBP to install RAM. Depending on the model, it could be as easy as removing 4-10 screws. Find the manual for your MacBook Pro here - and have a colleague help you out!

Good luck,

Clinton

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Answer 4

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

May 30, 2012 3:28 AM in response to Rowan_Crothers

If it was purchased along with 300 (or is that 299) others then this is some type of corporate or institution purchase.

Best it to take it to those that know the password and can physically install more RAM.

No one here can help you with a Firmware, Boot, EFI password. And even if they could they will not.

Good Luck and Best Wishes.

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Answer 5

May 30, 2012 3:31 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Clinton,

I know that you have to open the MBP to install RAM.

What I am saying is that it is definitely possible for you to remove the firmware password without opening up the MacBook whatsoever.

I'm not really wanting to disrupt my colleagues at this current time, as we do have an examination block coming up at our university.

Even if one of them decided to help me out, I would not want to risk damaging the computer. It's not like I have another $2500 in my pocket that I can whip out 'just in case'.

I am absolutely certain that there is an alternative to all this.

Can't somebody at least extract the utility from the boot CD and post that on the internet? I swear, that would make my life so much easier.

Regards,

Rowan Crothers

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Answer 6

May 30, 2012 3:39 AM in response to Rowan_Crothers

Rowan,

Read this - maybe it will help.

Regards,

Clinton

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Answer 7

May 30, 2012 3:41 AM in response to Shootist007

Shootist007,

I was the one that initially paid for the MacBook. Through an external provider, who I have trusted for a long time.

They sent all the purchased MacBooks through to the uni's IT guy. He put all the software and that onto the computers, and passed them on to us. Without the boot CD, as he thought we would not be requiring it.

If I could pass this on to the one person that knew the password, I would. But he's on vacation, which is a real annoyance, especially in a time like this.

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Answer 8

May 30, 2012 3:47 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Clinton,

That does not really help, whatsoever.

The only suggestion it states that I can do is to use the Boot CD's utility.

Which, as stated earlier, I do not have access to.

Regards,

Rowan Crothers

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Answer 9

May 30, 2012 3:48 AM in response to Rowan_Crothers

I have found this code on the internet, but I have absolutely no idea how to install it, as I am very new to Python:

http://code.google.com/p/efipw/

Regards,

Rowan Crothers

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Answer 10

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

May 30, 2012 3:53 AM in response to Rowan_Crothers

Rowan_Crothers wrote:

Clinton,

That does not really help, whatsoever.

The only suggestion it states that I can do is to use the Boot CD's utility.

Which, as stated earlier, I do not have access to.

Regards,

Rowan Crothers

New Mac's do not come with a RE-Install DVD of any kind. They use a Recovery HD partition on the internal drive to Re-Install Lion over the internet. But that will not do you any good as to get to that Recovery HD system you must know the Firmware password.

But why are you wanting to change or remove this password. To my knowledge you, the user, has no access to the Boot Sector and if it really did have a EFI firmware password you would not be able to load the OS without first typing in that password.

Have you tried leaving that password request blank?

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Answer 11

May 30, 2012 4:01 AM in response to Shootist007

Shootist007,

I am requiring access to an installation of Ubuntu on my computer.

Yes, I have tried leaving the password request box blank. To no avail.

And, yes, of course the computer has a firmware password.

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Answer 12

May 30, 2012 4:17 AM in response to Rowan_Crothers

Rowan,

Now you're above my head with Python...

...but could you do what you need to do if you had a boot DVD or flash drive?

Because if you could, you could BUY the Install Mac OS X Lion.app from the App Store for about $30 and then create a boot DVD or flash drive (which is faster than DVD) using Lion DiskMaker.

Don't know if that would help or not - you're out of my league when you start talking Python.

Clinton

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Answer 13

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

May 30, 2012 4:33 AM in response to Rowan_Crothers

Rowan_Crothers wrote:

Shootist007,

I am requiring access to an installation of Ubuntu on my computer.

Yes, I have tried leaving the password request box blank. To no avail.

And, yes, of course the computer has a firmware password.

Install a Virual Machine program and then install Ubuntu in that. then you can run both OS X and Linux at the same time.

EDIT:

Personally I would not have a computer I spent, persoanlly, $2500 on and not have complete access to it. If for some reason I ever got a computer that I personally paid for, with my own money, and it had some type of IT department set password on it I would have that password removed or demand my money back.

This is what I suggest you do ASAP.

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Answer 14

May 30, 2012 1:13 PM in response to Shootist007

Shootist007,

The VM idea will not be possible.

I will be requiring full access to my computer's memory, which is obviously not possible running 2 OS's at once If running a VM were possible, I would just do that.

I can't demand removal of the password as the only person that knows it is currently on vacation.

Regards,

Rowan Crothers.

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Answer 15

May 30, 2012 1:22 PM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Clinton,

I would be able to perform the required task with the OS on a flash drive. That option I have already tried.

I cannot change the currently running OS without access to the firmware password.

And, the startup disk option in System Preferences refuses to recognise an external drive as an OS.

Sorry if I'm becoming a bit of a pain.

Regards,

Rowan Crothers

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