I am trying to restore my OS from the Internet, but when I restart, holding 'command-R', I am presented with a password screen. Any idea what this password might be? FileValut is disabled. I tried my password, that did not work. I do not see this in any instructions, about having to enter a password. Please help!
Thanks.
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.2)
Like everybody said, its a firmware password.
Please let me know what model is your computer. I'll provide instructions accordingly, if available.
Older Macbook has a loophole which allows to reset that password but its not possible on newer macs.
In this case your first option is to use the disc that came with your macbook to reset your computer.
And the last option is to go to apple store with the proof of ownership.
Welcome to Apple Support Communities
That's a firmware password. It's required to start up in any other mode than the normal mode.
If you didn't set a firmware password, reset the SMC > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 If you don't remember it, take the computer to an Apple Store or reseller.
In old Macs, you can reset the firmware password by extracting a RAM module, but it doesn't work in new Macs
You set a firmware password at some point.
If you've forgotten it and your mac is a couple of years old, you might be able to reset that by pulling out the ram and reinserting it.
That trick won't work on newer macs, so if you can't remember the password you'll have to take it to an Apple store to get them to reset the firmware password.
I was able to reset once I realized what it was. Thanks.
Out of curiosity: did you purchase this Mac used? Was the currently installed OS the original OS or was it upgraded at the app store by the previous owner?
Command-R requires password
