Comments on: Disable an Open Firmware (EFI) password on an Intel Mac

By: Vasken

Vasken — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:02:09 +0000

If the machine isn’t asking you for a firmware password to allow you to boot off the CD, my guess is that you have hardware problems. I’d say it’s the DVD drive, but if you’re also seeing problems on the hard drive with VerifyDisk, it may be your system board or something else. I’d bring it to a local Apple store if possible.

By: Darbo

Darbo — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:16:24 +0000

Hi there

I’ve read your post and thought that my problem goes from here (something with firmware password)

I’ve performed your procedure and i could erase the firmware password but:

I want to erase the disk and start from scratch, but can’t boot from dvd or a bootable image.

Each time i repair permissions they’re the same, always the same.

When ran the VerifyDisk it seems like something is wrong, ’cause the red advice were displayed, it says the Disk must be repaired, but, obviously i need that the machine loads my DVD to restore it.

I’m using an original DVD retail copy of SnowLeopard v.10.6.3 (remember that my already installed version is 10.6.8 now)

When i perform any shortcut of bootable options (C; alt; shift; cmd+shift+opt+delete, cmd+opt+o+f) the machine stuck, it only shows the gray apple on gray screen but spinning gear or anything else; when pressing cmd+s nothing happens after the dotted line.

Any options?

Thanks in advance.

Darbo

By: Christian

Christian — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:20:07 +0000

I have 10.7 (lion) how can I do this as I only have a .dmg file for 10.7 ans not a DVD!

Thanks!

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:41:32 +0000

Thanks Richard works perfect.

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:02:00 +0000

If you have the Firmware password holding down option during boot will still work. Otherwise try the above.

If you don't have the password and your OS is corrupt and the above does not work:
1. Change your memory size. ( Add/Remove one stick)
2. Boot doing a PR Reset.
3. Turn off computer.
4. Boot from CD normally.

By: vaskenhauri

vaskenhauri — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:45:35 +0000

@Scot,

As far as I remember, the workaround described in this article will allow you to boot off the CD without entering the EFI password. Can you try the instructions and let folks know whether they still work?

By: vaskenhauri

vaskenhauri — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 16:45:35 +0000

@Scot,

As far as I remember, the workaround described in this article will allow you to reset the EFI password. Can you try the instructions and let folks know whether they still work?

By: Scot

Scot — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:59:56 +0000

I notice that by having the EFI Firmware password in place, holding down the C Key at boot up is disabled, what do I do in the event my OSX installation becomes corrupt and I need to boot off my Snow Leopard disc again to reinstall the OS, is this now impossible to do ?. Its an Intel based mac I have btw running Snow Leopard

By: Don Quijote

Don Quijote — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 23:49:12 +0000

Thank you! This worked great!

By: Dexter

Dexter — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:02:46 +0000

Perfect, It's Work