Forgot firmware password on MacBook Pro

[tommyknockers]

ecauwHi all, i've really screwed up, and need your help urgently.

Some weeks ago, i set the firmware password on m y MacBook Pro. I set it to something complicated but memorable ... But now, of course, I can't remember it!

I've been googleing the subject, but there seems to be nothing about resetting the MB Pros Extensible Firmware.

The problem is even bigger, because I wanted to repair permissions yesterday and thus booted from the indtall dvd. I had forgotten about the EF passeord, so I set the startup disk to be the DVD drive, and now I cant get the machine to boot from its harddrive, so I have no access to my data.

I have tried to remove the 1gig ram block, that should reset the password in the old Open Firmware macs but no dice!

Im desperate because later today Im being interviewed about my mac and tech in general, and i really need my notes and stuff on the mac, plus it would be so embarrassing that iv'e set a password i cant remember - might as well cancel the interview :-(

Is there anyway to make the MBPro boot from the harddrive again, or is there a reset button on the motherboard?

PLEASE tell me there is something I can do? I'm desperate

[texanpenguin]

I wouldn't be holding my breath if pulling the RAM doesn't work.

Certainly not while still covered by warranty.

[tommyknockers]

Originally Posted by texanpenguin

I wouldn't be holding my breath if pulling the RAM doesn't work.

Certainly not while still covered by warranty.

please, is there ANY way i can get it booting from the HD again? Some key-combo that makes it choose the internal HD again?

Or a reset swith on the mainboard?

i dont care about warranty, i just really really need this macine to boot. ill pay, prostitude myself, ANYTHING, as long as it'll boot :-)

Seriously guys, help me!

[ElDiabloConCaca]

When you say you removed the 1GB stick, did you try booting with the stick removed? As far as I know, the only way to reset an open-firmware password is to change the amount of physical RAM installed in the machine (either add or remove RAM to make it a different amount from when you set the password), then boot the machine.

If you only have the 1GB stick installed and that's it, then you must purchase some new RAM (512MB, 2GB, etc.) so that the total installed memory is different from when you set the password.

[DeltaMac]

How can you setup an Open Firmware password, when the Macbook Pro does not have Open Firmware, and there is no publicized way to get into EFI

what happens when you boot to your Installer DVD while holding the letter C ?

If you can boot to the installer, you can change your login password from the Utilities menu while booted to that DVD.

[Giaguara]

After removing / adding more RAM than before, Turn on the computer and immediately reset PRAM by holding the Command-Option-P-R key combination. Press the keys until you've heard two successive startup sounds.
Open Firmware password protection should be now disabled. Shut down the computer and return it to its original RAM configuration.

[ra3ndy]

To boot to your hard drive, hold down the Option key when booting, to display the list of bootable systems on your computer. Select your hard drive, and you should be set.

[bobw]

From MacFixIt;

Q. Does the shift to EFI mean that Open Firmware is gone on Intel Macs?

Yes. Open Firmware is the name for the firmware found on all PowerPC Macs. It no longer exists on Intel Macs. Holding down the Command-Option-O-F keys at startup, which brings up the Open Firmware command line interface in PowerPC Macs, does nothing on Intel Macs. This means that Open Firmware commands (such as reset-nvram, a fix occasionally recommended on MacFixIt) no longer function.

Unfortunately, Apple has not yet provided any user interface to the EFI, nor any guidelines as to what commands to use to accomplish what Open Firmware previously did. Hopefully, this is a matter Apple will address fairly soon.

Q. But I just checked the /Applications/Utilities folder on the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 DVD that came with my Intel Mac. It still includes a utility called Open Firmware Password. What gives with that?

Indeed you are correct. This utility, on PowerPC Macs, provides a simple graphical user interface for setting an Open Firmware password. If enabled, this offers a security protection that prevents users from starting up the Mac via anything other than the internal drive — unless you supply the Open Firmware password. The utility bypasses the need to otherwise enable this option by booting into Open Firmware at startup. Given that Open Firmware no longer exists on Intel Macs, I was surprised to see this utility included on the Install DVD for my new iMac. Even more surprising, the utility had been updated to a Universal application.

But the biggest surprise was: It still works! I tested this out by enabling the password and restarting the Mac while holding down the Option key. This gets the Startup Manager screen to appear (which allows you to select a startup volume from any connected bootable drive or disc). However, before the Startup Manager appeared, a password screen popped up from which I had to enter my "Open Firmware" password before I could proceed.

Is this actually an EFI-based password? Does this mean the Open Firmware Password utility should be renamed EFI Password? I assume so, but have been so far unable to confirm this. Just one of the minor mysteries still to be resolved...and perhaps answered in a future NSFAQ.

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Check the /Applications/Utilities folder on the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 DVD that came with your Intel Mac. Maybe you can reset it that way.