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Firmware password -- stop booting in target disk mode?

I

immobilus

macrumors member
Original poster
May 5, 2012
62
4
I have an iMac I bought from Best Buy in 2011. I moved around the world and country over two years and left it with my mother. Prior to doing so, I set a firmware password.

I've forgotten it.

I've been able to access my account, login, upgrade MacOS, etc., it only requires the password if I attempt to boot with arguments, i.e. recovery mode.

Best Buy only archives purchase invoices for three years. Apple won't assist with the unlock without an invoice. I've basically just settled with the fact that I can use my iMac, but can never use safe mode, target disk mode, etc.

I made a mistake. When upgrading it to macOS Sierra, I thought I had a work around. I created an OS installer USB, used terminal to flag the computer in target disk mode (thinking if it didn't work, long shot, I could just turn off the computer and turn it back on--the OS would load as normal).

It didn't work. Now it's stuck trying to boot in target disk mode, which requires the firmware password. Turning it off and on does not reset the target mode argument at boot. It keeps trying target disk mode, resulting in demands for my password.

Is there an argument that can be made or something I can do to make the iMac boot normally, so it will stop asking me for my firmware password and allow me to login?
 
If I recall, there are ebay "sellers" who offer "firmware password fixes".

These may not be "authorized by Apple", but they may work.

Your story is the perfect example as to why one should NEVER NEVER use a firmware password unless one has a very good reason to require doing so.
 
maflynn said:
That would seem like a huge security vulnerability - why have a password when you can easily work around it.
Click to expand...
Indeed, it effectively made firmware passwords useless, and it was this way for years.
 
#14
Hey,
Did you found the solution ?
I have same problem.
I am stuck in target disk mode after I use bootcamp to boot in target disk mode.
Now it won't work anymore. I just stuck in target disk mode forever
 
mightmay said:
#14
Hey,
Did you found the solution ?
I have same problem.
I am stuck in target disk mode after I use bootcamp to boot in target disk mode.
Now it won't work anymore. I just stuck in target disk mode forever
Click to expand...


The other thread you've linked to is quite different to this one. I am not even sure what issue specifically you're having.
 
Never heard back from the OP.
My guess is that he either "went the ebay route", or...
... gave up.
 
This is mac book pro 2015,
The problem is that I have bootcamp.
I was on windows.
I click on "reboot in target disk mode" because I was curious.
Then it stuck there trying to boot in target disk mode which need firmware password.
No way out.
I tried all the combination key such as: Option+ ..., Ctrl+shift+ .....

I open the back of the laptop, but I can't even remove the ram.
 
mightmay said:
This is mac book pro 2015,
The problem is that I have bootcamp.
I was on windows.
I click on "reboot in target disk mode" because I was curious.
Then it stuck there trying to boot in target disk mode which need firmware password.
No way out.
I tried all the combination key such as: Option+ ..., Ctrl+shift+ .....

I open the back of the laptop, but I can't even remove the ram.
Click to expand...

Hi, I have exact the same problem. Did you find solution?
 
Good everyone, please has anyone found a way out of being stick in Target Disk Mode?

Am really in a tight corner right now on this
 
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