Stephen Zelley

Q: macbook pro firmware password reset usb tool?

I have a macbook pro, 13 inch, late 2011, that was once locked with a firmware password that I didn't know. I took it to mac life and they unlocked it for me. The frustrating part was, they wouldn't give me the tool that they used on my computer. That tool was specifically for my computer, and would only work on that computer. Why won't they give me the tools to reset a firmware password myself? Why do they say they can't give me the tools so I could do it myself? They say it's for their use only. That's just rediculous. It's crap. I do labor on computers quiet a bit, and I have spent almost 10 years learning computers. I tried to tell them that, but they still wouldn't give me the tools. Why won't they. You'd think they would just give you those tools, instead of it's for Apple's use only. Does anyone have any ideas about why normal computer users can't just do it themselves? Thanks in advance.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5), late 2011

Posted on May 24, 2016 9:43 PM

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Q: macbook pro firmware password reset usb tool?

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  • by leroydouglas,

    leroydouglas leroydouglas May 24, 2016 10:27 PM in response to Stephen Zelley
    Level 7 (22,894 points)
    Notebooks
    May 24, 2016 10:27 PM in response to Stephen Zelley

    Stephen Zelley wrote:

    locked with a firmware password

     

    You'd think they would just give you those tools, instead of it's for Apple's use only.

     

    Does anyone have any ideas about why normal computer users can't just do it themselves?

     

     

    Because they are proprietary tools. Not handouts for consumers or prosumers in your case.

     

    Use a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support

     

    http://osxdaily.com/2015/01/28/forgot-mac-firmware-password-what-now/

  • by Stephen Zelley,

    Stephen Zelley Stephen Zelley May 25, 2016 7:22 PM in response to leroydouglas
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    May 25, 2016 7:22 PM in response to leroydouglas

    Okay. Maybe I will learn about all of this once I start working at apple. Thanks for helping

  • by leroydouglas,

    leroydouglas leroydouglas May 25, 2016 7:33 PM in response to Stephen Zelley
    Level 7 (22,894 points)
    Notebooks
    May 25, 2016 7:33 PM in response to Stephen Zelley

    Stephen Zelley wrote:

     

    Okay. Maybe I will learn about all of this once I start working at apple. Thanks for helping

    I am sure you will Stephen Kelley ! Good computing !!

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder May 25, 2016 7:57 PM in response to Stephen Zelley
    Level 9 (60,714 points)
    Desktops
    May 25, 2016 7:57 PM in response to Stephen Zelley

    Why won't they give me the tools to reset a firmware password myself?

     

    Those who have the unlocking ability are supposed to ensure that you actually OWN the Mac you have presented for unlocking. They may even have to report the serial number to Apple.

     

    If they let you have the tools to unlock firmware passwords whenever you like, then nobody's firmware is locked any more -- you or anyone you choose can unlock it on a whim..

  • by Stephen Zelley,

    Stephen Zelley Stephen Zelley May 26, 2016 4:40 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    May 26, 2016 4:40 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    Okay, well, I don't plan on just unlocking any mac. I need only to be able to unlock my own macs. Sence Apple presses charges for computer repairs and unlocking, I really don't think I should take no for an answer. Does anyone know if I can reprogram my mac's bios chip? Their are steps I found online, so if I'm a computer tech, shouldn't I be able to reprogram the chip and decript the firmware lock? I don't have a car or any money. Does anyone know of a way I can reprogram the firmware chip on my mac? I am perfictly fine with opening my mac's case and doing work on the mac's motherboard. Thanks in advance.

  • by Stephen Zelley,

    Stephen Zelley Stephen Zelley Jul 23, 2016 12:40 AM in response to leroydouglas
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 23, 2016 12:40 AM in response to leroydouglas

    Yah, but you'd think that as long as a normal mac user has a valid apple ID, and if they can answer their security questions correctly, that Apple would allow them to reset a forgotten firmware password that way. Life would be so much easier for us if, as long as we as mac users have a valid Apple ID, we should have at least 1 backdoor and be able to regain access to the computer in question.