[jackcajyeh1228]

I've jumped from forums to forums trying to solve my problem,
but I havn't seen any topic that can helps me.

My brother left me this MacBook before he went to the army...
There's two accounts in it, one is his account and the other one is guest.
There is no way for me to find out the password to his account for another
two years and I can not do anything as guest (can't install, open dmg files, etc).
I tried to reinstall OS X several times but it didn't work, i figure he must have
the firmware or something so I couldn't press "C" while the computer is staring.
What do I do now? does anyone have any experience similar to mine?

[houstonmacbro]

i THINK if your account is an administrator account you can reset the password. if your account is just a basic user account there is not much you can do.

i do know that there is a hit feature where if you enter the wrong password, you can ask for a hint. have you tried looking for that when attempting to login to his account?

[techtrucker]

Do you have the discs that came with the MacBook? The only way I know of resetting an administrator password without knowing the current password is to boot off the install CD (hold down C after hearing startup chime), when the installer appears go to the Utilities menu and select Reset Password. Then quit the installer and reboot.

[shifuimam]

When you say you can't boot by pressing "C", do you mean that it asks for a password before you can boot off a CD, or does it just go straight to OS X without ever looking at the CD?

You can always try booting while holding down the Option key, to bring up a list of bootable drives. If it asks for a password from there to boot to anything other than the hard drive (firewire/usb drive, CD, DVD, etc), then from what I have read, you're pretty much out of luck. Apple's made the new EFI basically impossible to use or modify, so you can't do normal Open Firmware-type functions to kill the Open Firmware password.

You could always try taking it to the Apple Store and tell them you forgot your passwords...

Also try this thread : http://macosx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270395

See if any of the suggested solutions work.

[jackcajyeh1228]

no.......
acturally, I can not do anything with my account,
and when I press "C" while restarting my MacBook,
nothing happens or shows up, it went straight to the
account log in screen.

[krx]

You most likely need the administrator's password, which you're brother surely has. Deployed Army personnel can typically be reached via regular mail (if not email or phone). Any reason you can't just write and ask him for it - that is, assuming he wants to give you this access?

[Hi I'm Ben]

Originally Posted by jackcajyeh1228

no.......
acturally, I can not do anything with my account,
and when I press "C" while restarting my MacBook,
nothing happens or shows up, it went straight to the
account log in screen.

Well it sounds like you are doing something wrong here.

If you insert the OS X cd (Check to make sure it's the install CD there are quite a few that come with the MacBook)
Holding C It will boot onto the install screen. Without any admin intervention you will be able to format and reinstall the OS. It is highly unlikely there is anythign your brother could have done to stop you from doing this.


If this isn't working for you bring it into an Apple store and let them show you how to do it.

[krx]

Originally Posted by Hi I'm Ben

If you insert the OS X cd (Check to make sure it's the install CD there are quite a few that come with the MacBook)
Holding C It will boot onto the install screen. Without any admin intervention you will be able to format and reinstall the OS. It is highly unlikely there is anythign your brother could have done to stop you from doing this.

If the owner activated Open Firmware password protection, as the OP suggested in his initial post, there is little the OP can do (to my knowledge) to override it - that is, without an admin's password. But this is probably as it should be, right? If the owner knew enough to enable security at this level, he knew it would require his password to override it - and apparently didn't provide it ... for whatever reasons.

[Big Mac]

If it is an EFI password (does such a thing exist?), it could likely be circumvented by taking out RAM. But it does not sound like a password because the OP never says he gets one at boot.

Jack, can you boot into single user mode by holding down command+s? If you can (which you should be able to do), there's a way to remove an admin password that way.

[kikkoman]

if you have access to another intel mac you can start the macbook in target disk mode and connect to the other mac and then install os x on the macbook.

[krx]

Originally Posted by kikkoman

if you have access to another intel mac you can start the macbook in target disk mode and connect to the other mac and then install os x on the macbook.

Firmware protection (if indeed it is enabled) defeats target disk mode too.

Originally Posted by Big Mac

If it is an EFI password (does such a thing exist?), it could likely be circumvented by taking out RAM. But it does not sound like a password because the OP never says he gets one at boot.

See this...

Originally Posted by jackcajyeh1228

acturally, I can not do anything with my account,
and when I press "C" while restarting my MacBook,
nothing happens or shows up, it went straight to the
account log in screen.

...which is just what it should do if Firmware protection is on.

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Jack, can you boot into single user mode by holding down command+s? If you can (which you should be able to do), there's a way to remove an admin password that way.

Not sure but I think this is also defeated by Firmware protection.

[techtrucker]

The OP needs to let us know if he is using the right install CD, and/or if there is an Open Firmware password. I suspect there isn't.

[iseeumhmm]

I tell you what, he is right. I am having the same problem. I bought this macbook 1.83 off of ebay. Works great other than I cannot install anything. I bought a copy of tiger 10.4.6 to install and it won't let me. When I try to double click the install icon it says cannot install tiger 10.4 on this machine. Please consult documentation for a list of supported Macintosh computers. Funny that's exactly what I'm already running but it doesn't support it. Tried pressing c to boot, same as the guy above, nothing. I am lost. This is my first mac and I am not enjoying so far. I know if it was windows I'd go into bios, set boot order, format and install. Done. I really want to get into working with macs because I love the ease that you can edit hd video. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

[iseeumhmm]

Oh yeah and I can get into single user by holding command s. If there is a way to reset it this way that would be great.

[iseeumhmm]

Oh yeah and I can get into single user by holding command s. If there is a way to reset it this way that would be great.

[Hi I'm Ben]

Originally Posted by iseeumhmm

Oh yeah and I can get into single user by holding command s. If there is a way to reset it this way that would be great.

It's still under Warranty, why not go to an Apple store or call them up on the phone.

[kikkoman]

Originally Posted by iseeumhmm

I tell you what, he is right. I am having the same problem. I bought this macbook 1.83 off of ebay. Works great other than I cannot install anything. I bought a copy of tiger 10.4.6 to install and it won't let me. When I try to double click the install icon it says cannot install tiger 10.4 on this machine. Please consult documentation for a list of supported Macintosh computers. Funny that's exactly what I'm already running but it doesn't support it. Tried pressing c to boot, same as the guy above, nothing. I am lost. This is my first mac and I am not enjoying so far. I know if it was windows I'd go into bios, set boot order, format and install. Done. I really want to get into working with macs because I love the ease that you can edit hd video. If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like someone sold you a PPC version of Tiger. What happened to the Tiger CDs that came with the MacBook?

[elsogs]

I have the same problem, I bought this 15.4" macbook pro from the german ebay, and I also bought mac osx tiger install dvd. when i try to install it from within the current installed mac osx, it asks me for an administrator password (wich I don't have), and it doesn't want to boot from the install disk, when i press the "C" key.

would it make a diffrence if I'll buy a new HDD?

p.s. I'm new to macs, and now I live in romania wich makes it harder for me to contact the guy in germany from whom I bought the mac.

thx a lot!

[nabilanwar]

Originally Posted by elsogs

I have the same problem, I bought this 15.4" macbook pro from the german ebay, and I also bought mac osx tiger install dvd. when i try to install it from within the current installed mac osx, it asks me for an administrator password (wich I don't have), and it doesn't want to boot from the install disk, when i press the "C" key.

would it make a diffrence if I'll buy a new HDD?

p.s. I'm new to macs, and now I live in romania wich makes it harder for me to contact the guy in germany from whom I bought the mac.

thx a lot!

Please lookup 'target disk mode' and if that doesnt work, find an Apple store.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by elsogs

I have the same problem, I bought this 15.4" macbook pro from the german ebay, and I also bought mac osx tiger install dvd. when i try to install it from within the current installed mac osx, it asks me for an administrator password (wich I don't have), and it doesn't want to boot from the install disk, when i press the "C" key.

would it make a diffrence if I'll buy a new HDD?

p.s. I'm new to macs, and now I live in romania wich makes it harder for me to contact the guy in germany from whom I bought the mac.

thx a lot!

The MacBook Pro comes with a full set of install disks. If it didn't, someone sold you an incomplete machine.

You need an Intel-compatible install disk (10.4.7 or later). I doubt that the regular store-bought ones have been updated yet, since every single Intel Mac came with a copy of 10.4, and you can get replacement Install Disks directly from Apple support for a nominal fee.

[elsogs]

the guy that sold me the macbook pro didn't gave me the mac osx cds/dvd.

I bought the mac osx tiger (10.4) dvd from the apple.ro store.

A friend of mine tells me that I should buy a new HDD and fresh-install the mac osx tiger, could that work? because I think that the current HDD is blocked in the EFI or something like that...

please help, I'm realy depresed after my first experience with the MAC computers.

[typoon]

Originally Posted by elsogs

the guy that sold me the macbook pro didn't gave me the mac osx cds/dvd.

I bought the mac osx tiger (10.4) dvd from the apple.ro store.

A friend of mine tells me that I should buy a new HDD and fresh-install the mac osx tiger, could that work? because I think that the current HDD is blocked in the EFI or something like that...

please help, I'm realy depresed after my first experience with the MAC computers.

I would call Apple or go back to the store and say that you need it to restore your MacBook. Or tell them that you forgot your password and lost the disks and ask if they can reset it for you. If that doesn't work which model is it? I believe you can use anyone's MacBook installer disks. PM me I'll see if I can help you out. Check with Apple first.

[boycat]

Originally Posted by typoon 

I would call Apple or go back to the store and say that you need it to restore your MacBook. Or tell them that you forgot your password and lost the disks and ask if they can reset it for you. If that doesn't work which model is it? I believe you can use anyone's MacBook installer disks. PM me I'll see if I can help you out. Check with Apple first.

Heh.
Sorry, all you poor saps who are stuck with Intel chips in your otherwise awesome macs. I'm snapping up all the PPC macs I can.

Anyway, good reading:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75414
and best...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106482

here:

"
Features of Open Firmware Password Protection

When turned on using one of the models listed above, Open Firmware Password Protection:

Blocks the ability to use the "C" key to start up from an optical disc.
Blocks the ability to use the "N" key to start up from a NetBoot server.
Blocks the ability to use the "T" key to start up in Target Disk Mode (on computers that offer this feature).
Blocks the ability to start up in Verbose mode by pressing the Command-V key combination during startup.
Block the ability to start up a system in Single-user mode by pressing the Command-S key combination during startup.
Blocks a reset of Parameter RAM (PRAM) by pressing the Command-Option-P-R key combination during startup.
Requires the password to use the Startup Manager, accessed by pressing the Option key during startup (see below).
Requires the password to enter commands after starting up in Open Firmware, which is done by pressing the Command-Option-O-F key combination during startup.
"

From experience, what you need to do is this: Get the Open Firmware Password app at http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...epassword.html (version as of this post is 1.0.2)

When you run it, you can check or uncheck the box to enable or disable OFP protection. Unchecked, disabling it, you should be able to boot to a CD, into Firewire mode, etc...

BUT... you will need an admin password or will have to do this from an admin-enabled account. Or it won't work. And then you're stuck. I wouldn't mess with your disk, and I'd pray for no corruption issues, because then you're stuck... you've got a hunk of metal that won't boot from it's internal disk, and you can't access other devices to boot to without the OFP password. And since your system is hosed, you can't run OFP to disable it! hahaha. suckers.

Reasons for this: OFP is flashed onto the mac. It's nothing to do with the disk. You can take the disk completely OUT and you'll still be neutered.

What is needed, that I am sorry to say I don't know, is someone to post a way to remove OFP on a mac without having to boot it. IE: a way to hold Option during boot, which will prompt you for any OFP password, and then be able to shove the thing into target disk mode or boot from a CDROM (you know, it's mentioned this last thing, the cd boot, SHOULD work if it's in the drive and bootable after a OFP password is entered. I'm guessing a bootable USB disk would work as well, etc..)... but then... you still need the OFP Password. Short of that, we need someone to say "For a ICBM Mac Mini, open the case and short these pins to default your flash..." or something like that... "and for a Macbook, do this..." etc... and that's a pisser, you know.

One thing that occurred to me... why not use a working mac, create a bootable OS X installation with the OFP software on it, swap that disk into your mac, and boot from it. If you've made yourself an admin account and can run OFP from your new temp installation, you might be able to remove the OFP altogether (unless, and i'm not sure if, an existing OFP from another installation needs to match when you turn off OFP from the new installation - sorry, i lack the time to experiment this, and the machines/ drives necessary) then shut down, put the original drive back in, pop in your bootable CD, no OFP will stop you now from holding C and blowing that old installation away with a fresh one. unless you're dumb.


There you go. Some facts, readings, musings, ideas, and slandering of ICBMs, because we all know that the great downhill slope in quality from apple began with the adopting of shitty microprocessors baring the intel logo.

-jre

[xsphat]

Sorry dude, I love my MacBook. The Core Duo is so much faster than the old PPC model I now use as a stereo. The G5s at work feel slow to me now.

[boycat]

Originally Posted by xsphat 

Sorry dude, I love my MacBook. The Core Duo is so much faster than the old PPC model I now use as a stereo. The G5s at work feel slow to me now.

great.

hope you never have to boot anything other than your stereo via USB

/me snickers

[Photo678]

Originally Posted by boycat 

great.

hope you never have to boot anything other than your stereo via USB

/me snickers

what the hell are you talking about?

[Mister Elf]

He's a troll - and besides the obvious idiocy of his comments, he seems to forget that PPC Macs can't boot from USB, when Intel machines can...

[xsphat]

Booting form USB huh, I never thougt of that . . . for anything . . . ever.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by boycat 

There you go. Some facts, readings, musings, ideas, and slandering of ICBMs, because we all know that the great downhill slope in quality from apple began with the adopting of shitty microprocessors baring the intel logo.

I know you're just an idiot trolling, but the iBook G3s were dying so frequently left and right that Apple had to introduce a 3-year extended repair program for fried main logic boards.

The 15" Powerbook G4s have an extended repair program for an issue where the logic board dies in a subtle way - noticeable symptom is that the machine gets markedly slow and that the lower RAM slot is no longer recognized. I just got my 1.5GHz P'Book's logic board replaced due to this issue.

The Great Downhill Slope In Quality™ began when Apple introduced the Performa Macs in the EARLY NINETIES, sucker.

You must not be old enough to remember the Performa 5200. Apple extended free repair services for crummy monitor cabling on that machine for the record timeframe of SEVEN YEARS after purchase. And that was just ONE of the problems plagueing it.

I had one.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by xsphat 

Booting form USB huh, I never thougt of that . . . for anything . . . ever.

Booting from external drives is absolutely indispensible in certain troubleshooting situations, and USB devices are often more readily at hand - and usually significantly cheaper - than Firewire devices.

Macs could do it back in 1998 (the very first iMacs could boot from USB, albeit the deathly slow 1.1), but never very reliably, and Apple killed USB booting with the introduction of Firewire on their consumer machines.

Until now.

[IEEE1394]

Originally Posted by elsogs 

the guy that sold me the macbook pro didn't gave me the mac osx cds/dvd.

I bought the mac osx tiger (10.4) dvd from the apple.ro store.

A friend of mine tells me that I should buy a new HDD and fresh-install the mac osx tiger, could that work? because I think that the current HDD is blocked in the EFI or something like that...

please help, I'm realy depresed after my first experience with the MAC computers.

You bought the PPC version of Tiger (no boxed Intel versions exist as all the Intel Macs were introduced after Tiger, and thus already have it.).

I doubt EFI is the problem.

I believe this information would also apply to the OP.

[nghicn]

I got a macbook which is Intel base, I use the BootCamp to install XP evry things fine when I run Xp. Then I chose to boot mac ox from Xp and asked me to restart and afer that the screen just show a light white if I leave it for a while it automatic off. I dont know what happen, Now I can not use it because it can not go to any oppertion. Please help me with this state. Many thanks

[frdmfghtr]

Here's a thought to ponder (I'm playing devil's advocate, NOT making any accusations!)...

There's a recurring theme here:

(1) No admin passwords
(2) Can't boot to startup CD (or startup CD missing)
(3) Bought off eBay or from some other secondhand source

The first thought that comes to mind is this: these machines are hot (and I don't mean temperature-wise). Think about it: somebody is looking to the online community to help unlock administrator accounts and firmware passwords WITHOUT contacting the manufacturer. Does this raise anybody else's suspicion?

If it were easy to recover a machine if the password was unknown, then password protection would be useless. On my HP notebook, the only way to get the BIOS password cleared was to send it to HP with $50 and a signed affidavit stating that you are the rightful owner and also releasing HP from any and all liability for unlocking it. I want to say there's also a requirement for some document from a law enforcement agency but that detail is quite fuzzy.

Now, having said that, your best option is to go to an Apple Store or other authorized service center, with all the documentation you can muster showing that you are the rightful owner, and seeing what options you have.

Again, I'm playing devil's advocate and bringing up some concerns, NOT MAKING ACCUSATIONS.

[SLiMeX]

Originally Posted by frdmfghtr 

There's a recurring theme here:

(1) No admin passwords
(2) Can't boot to startup CD (or startup CD missing)
(3) Bought off eBay or from some other secondhand source

The first thought that comes to mind is this: these machines are hot (and I don't mean temperature-wise). Think about it: somebody is looking to the online community to help unlock administrator accounts and firmware passwords WITHOUT contacting the manufacturer. Does this raise anybody else's suspicion?

This was also the first thought that crossed my mind...

[nghicn]

[QUOTE=boycat;3190019]Heh.
hi, can yu help me with this case/ I use bootcamp to install xp, it fine when I run in xp but when I want to back to os on mac from win xp it asked to restart so I did that, and when it start I just hear a sound, and a blank screen show up only, now I cannt use it any more. I can not boot on a cd as well. so please help me......thnx

[analogika]

Originally Posted by nghicn 

[Heh.
hi, can yu help me with this case/ I use bootcamp to install xp, it fine when I run in xp but when I want to back to os on mac from win xp it asked to restart so I did that, and when it start I just hear a sound, and a blank screen show up only, now I cannt use it any more. I can not boot on a cd as well. so please help me......thnx

You won't have much success posting in a thread that has nothing to do with your problem.

Try over in the alternative operating systems forum:
http://forums.macnn.com/alternative-operating-systems/