I recently bought a iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) originally was working I wanted to reformat the hard drive and erase everything. After doing so I get a error message wants me to put in the old password but I don’t know it. My friend is a IT person and told me you got burned the computer is basically scrap now. The guy I bought it from used it for work he quite when the company went out of business he says he never had a password. I hate to throw it as I paid quite a bit of money. Any suggestions on getting it working again I have attached a picture of the error message it is giving me. I contacted Apple they really weren’t any help they had me do the same thing that I intended to do
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iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) Locked
- Thread starter bobdavis2010
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When you say "tried to reformat", how did you do the process. I'm asking cause a true reformat gets rid of everything. It basically tells the installer to delete everything and start from scratch, even if there is a password to protect data.
Did you try using a USB macOS installer and having that installer erase everything thru a formatting? Your IT friend is correct in saying that the computer is a paperweight assuming you are trying to reuse the data.
However, if there is no iCloud account locking it down, you can wipe everything and set it up as new. I have done so before with a friend's MacBook Pro he got from work.
However, if there is no iCloud account locking it down, you can wipe everything and set it up as new. I have done so before with a friend's MacBook Pro he got from work.
Really
i have not tried. I wouldn’t know how to. Is it hard to do ? Where would I get a usb with the data. Would you be able to maybe help me strep by step. I appreciate all the feed back I would hate to lose out on $600
No need to quote each post.
Also, here is a step-by-step directly from Apple.
Click Me
You will need:
- One USB Flash drive with minimum 14GB Capacity
- Another Mac to do the procedure
Thanks, Ill pick one up on Friday and give it a shot hopefully it works
As far as I'm aware, going to System Preferences and choosing "Erase All Content and Settings" from the menu should be sufficient. I believe that this will ask for the Apple ID password if there is one and will then reset the system to its factory configuration.
Does anyone know whether my understanding is correct?
Does anyone know whether my understanding is correct?
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Your understanding is not applicable to OP's case. His iMac was a company issued item and there is a hidden ID and password to log into the Company system using VPN. The previous owner didn't have to log-in the iMac because auto-log-in was set. But any changes to the machine will require an administrator's password.
In a normal case of usage, using an USB installer may be able to erase all the set-up and return the iMac to factory setting.
In a worst case scenario, the iMac was locked by EFI password and for T2-security chip equipped iMacs, it's not an easy job for a novice user to remove the EFI password (i.e it's Mission Impossible for the OP).
In terms of reinstalling.. and then erasing the drive - why not, instead og buying a USB key, do what's highlighted
Apple Support website with highlighted instructions.
Especially use the key combination Shift-Option-Command-R to get to the macOS your Mac was factory installed with. Requires ethernet or wi-fi to get going with all this. Also because your macOS will eventually be verified by Apple for download. You won't get anywhere without any sort of internet connection in this process.
In this new environment you can get going again quickly with little fussing about. And when you're in Recovery Mode then follow these instructions from Apple Support website. Open the website on your phone or tablet device to have it handy while operating
That way your drive is formatted and you ought to get back in "no time" - no time is in quotes because it will take a good 45 minutes or so for you to get macOS to a fresh desktop. And then you might want to update to the macOS that's the newest. Big Sur 11.x.x or even macOS Monterey. Which will set you back an additional hour or more. Good luck.
I've installed macOS a hundred times - so I'm quite the expert on hours spent on this. It's tiresome - but the reward is great.
Apple Support website with highlighted instructions.
Especially use the key combination Shift-Option-Command-R to get to the macOS your Mac was factory installed with. Requires ethernet or wi-fi to get going with all this. Also because your macOS will eventually be verified by Apple for download. You won't get anywhere without any sort of internet connection in this process.
In this new environment you can get going again quickly with little fussing about. And when you're in Recovery Mode then follow these instructions from Apple Support website. Open the website on your phone or tablet device to have it handy while operating
That way your drive is formatted and you ought to get back in "no time" - no time is in quotes because it will take a good 45 minutes or so for you to get macOS to a fresh desktop. And then you might want to update to the macOS that's the newest. Big Sur 11.x.x or even macOS Monterey. Which will set you back an additional hour or more. Good luck.
I've installed macOS a hundred times - so I'm quite the expert on hours spent on this. It's tiresome - but the reward is great.
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Have you tried “ranger505” as the password, since that’s the password hint?
Agreed, using the built-in setting is a no-go for OP.
As long as OP wipes the drive and there is no EFI lock, he/she should be fine.
Not really, many companies do sell assets when go out of business or when updating their computer fleet; it's standard practice. However, the one thing one must keep an eye out is that the Mac is free from all domains and accounts by corporate IT.
"The answer" is provided by Mr.Macintosh in reply 13 above.
You need to contact the company that originally issued this computer.
If it's in business, see if you can talk to the IT department to ascertain if it was "legally sold", and if so, whether the Device Management can be removed.
They may be willing, then again they may tell you the Mac was not in the legal possession of the guy who "sold" it to you, and refuse.
If the company is truly out-of-business, you may be "out of luck".
Spend your $600 more wisely next time.
And... that "friend" who sold this to you ... he ain't no "friend". Lose him.
You need to contact the company that originally issued this computer.
If it's in business, see if you can talk to the IT department to ascertain if it was "legally sold", and if so, whether the Device Management can be removed.
They may be willing, then again they may tell you the Mac was not in the legal possession of the guy who "sold" it to you, and refuse.
If the company is truly out-of-business, you may be "out of luck".
Spend your $600 more wisely next time.
And... that "friend" who sold this to you ... he ain't no "friend". Lose him.
I just came back from taking the computer to Apple and said that there is nothing they can do unless I have the password. Before Trying to delete everything on the computer and start fresh it was working fine I should have just left it alone now I’m out money I guess it’s trash basically
"Before Trying to delete everything on the computer and start fresh it was working fine I should have just left it alone now I’m out money I guess it’s trash basically"
Reread my reply 21 and also reply 13.
Before you consign it to the closet, you could try to contact the company it came from.
If they won't help, or if that company no longer exists, THEN it's time to determine what to do with it.
You might be able to "sell it for parts".
But BE SURE you explain WHY it won't work in any ad for sale.
Go forth from this day and learn... a sadder -- but wiser -- man.
And NEXT TIME -- buy from Apple or an authorized distributor.
Reread my reply 21 and also reply 13.
Before you consign it to the closet, you could try to contact the company it came from.
If they won't help, or if that company no longer exists, THEN it's time to determine what to do with it.
You might be able to "sell it for parts".
But BE SURE you explain WHY it won't work in any ad for sale.
Go forth from this day and learn... a sadder -- but wiser -- man.
And NEXT TIME -- buy from Apple or an authorized distributor.
Yes totally understood. Not sure how to find the company or name is that something I can look up on there somehow
Seems like it converting it to an external display might be a good option for someone.