Disk full, all apps crash

[alphaod]

I have a problem here I can't seem to fix. Hope for some help.

I have 2012 13" rMBP. Out of 500GB, there is only about 300MB of free space.

Every application crashes including Finder, so I can't even delete anything except the stuff on the Desktop. The drive is encrypted with FileVault, but I can't decrypt it because System Preferences crashes as well. I have been able to backup important files, so I figured I'd just wipe the drive, but there is another problem.

The owner (my mom) no longer remembers her Firmware Password, so I can't even change start up volumes or select Internet Recovery.

I have been able to backup and then free some 15GB of space. The computer is on Mountain Lion.

The only recourse I see is hopefully by upgrading to Mavericks it will reinstall some of the system apps like Finder to factory and therefore fix the issues we have caused by the full disk.

That is, unless someone has better advice? I'm all ears.

 

[blueroom]

For starters make an Genius appointment to reset the firmware password. Then you can reinstall OSX.

 

[alphaod]

The Genius bar can reset my firmware password?!

That's news to me!

 

[yjchua95]

The Genius bar can reset my firmware password?!

That's news to me!

Yeap, they can. Or any AASP for that matter.

 

[disasterdrone]

You need to put a bigger hard drive in it.

 

[k-hawinkler]

Yeap, they can. Or any AASP for that matter.

What do they do to accomplish that? Remove all memory and insert back?

Google "how to reset firmware password on macbook"

 

[DeltaMac]

No
That "RAM reset" procedure no longer works on Macs sold since (2011?)
The reset requires a call to Apple support. The approximate process is this: The tech or genius retrieves a code from the Mac, and provides that code to Apple, and a reset code is provided as a response to that retrieved code.
Before someone asks, it's not a "back door", but simply a one-time code that will unlock the firmware.
Older Macs could be unlocked by changing the RAM configuration. It's no longer possible to unlock just because you have physical access.

 

[k-hawinkler]

No
That "RAM reset" procedure no longer works on Macs sold since (2011?)
The reset requires a call to Apple support. The approximate process is this: The tech or genius retrieves a code from the Mac, and provides that code to Apple, and a reset code is provided as a response to that retrieved code.
Before someone asks, it's not a "back door", but simply a one-time code that will unlock the firmware.
Older Macs could be unlocked by changing the RAM configuration. It's no longer possible to unlock just because you have physical access.

Many thanks indeed.
My MacBook Pro is from 2009 and I am waiting for delivery of an nMP in March.