forgotten password mac mini

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forgotten password mac mini

OK - like many I have an old mac mini for which the password has been forgotten. Unfortunately on mac mini's of this age they won't recognize the command keystroke combinations that allow you to bypass the login screen and go into single-user mode or boot from the c drive unless you have a keyboard using USB 1.0. I've tried to get a USB 1.0 keyboard, but can't find one anywhere. Is there any other way of reseting the box or changing the password?

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Mar 29, 2013 2:33 PM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

239,177 points

Mar 29, 2013 3:14 PM in response to FinbarFarquar

Hi, if it's not recognizing USB keys before login...

Firmware password protection in Mac OS X ...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352

It would block usage of all the startup keys, like C, N, T, D, CMD+s, CMD+Option+p+r, CMD +v, Option boot will show a lock, and Shift, as well as booting from anything but the Hard Drive.

Force Removing Password Protection

1) Add or remove DIMMs to change the total amount of RAM in the computer.

2) Then, the PRAM must be reset 3 times. (Command + Option + P + R).

http://www.securemac.com/openfirmwarepasswordprotection.php

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