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brijazz

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 31, 2008
411
560
I've just set up an Open Firmware Password for the first time. My understanding is that this would prevent booting the Mac from another volume (ie an OS X install DVD). After setting up the password and rebooting my machine, I decided to test things out by inserting my OS X install DVD and selecting it from the "Startup Disk" preference pane. Lo and behold, it rebooted from the DVD without asking for the password. Any idea why this happened?
 
I've just set up an Open Firmware Password for the first time. My understanding is that this would prevent booting the Mac from another volume (ie an OS X install DVD). After setting up the password and rebooting my machine, I decided to test things out by inserting my OS X install DVD and selecting it from the "Startup Disk" preference pane. Lo and behold, it rebooted from the DVD without asking for the password. Any idea why this happened?

What happens if you try booting into single-user mode, ie, restart and hold command-s ?

(I think you may be misunderstanding what setting such a password does.)
 
What happens if you try booting into single-user mode, ie, restart and hold command-s ?

The startup keyboard shortcuts (boot from CD, single user, etc.) are disabled as anticpated.

I think you may be misunderstanding what setting such a password does

I expected a broader scope from the open firmware password, I guess. I figured that you couldn't boot from any other volumes without entering said password, but it seems that that only applies if you're trying to do so from a restart/cold boot.
 
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