Macbook full HD format or replacment

[johnnyv49]

I have a computer from one of my old companies. I figured out that I have a MacBook Pro 13 inch, 2017 by the SN#. I have erased the HD but when I try to reinstall the OS I get a administrator screen that has Remote Management Norton Lifelock credentials required. So I cant get through the full OS reinstall. I have gone through the disk management, erased the drive un-mounted it and then tried to reinstall the OS

I have not been able to figure out if the hard drive itself can just be replaced or not. Is there a way to fully format this drive? Is there a way that I can blank it to factory spec so I don't have this credential issue? If not is this drive replaceable? I just need to start fresh with this MAC

 

[arche3]

Call the old work IT people and ask them for the password.

 

[johnnyv49]

I wish I could. Company no longer exists.

 

[Audit13]

When you insert a usb drive, press the power button, and hold down the option key, do you encounter a firmware password screen? If not, that good.

Can you boot the machine using an external drive with macOS?

 

[ptfuzi]

Remote management is set online, I guess you can't simply remove it.


But also for remote management to work you need to pay a monthly/anually fee

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
"I wish I could. Company no longer exists"

Looks like this might be one you have to either:
- put into the closet and forget about it
or
- sell it "for parts" (but with full disclosure that it may have a motherboard that is non-bootable).

 

[johnnyv49]

can the drive be replaced?

 

[Fishrrman]

Replacing the drive WILL MAKE NO DIFFERENCE.
It won't fix the problem.
The MBP still WON'T BOOT if it has special software that was installed by management, or if a firmware password was installed.

 

[NoBoMac]

And can't replace the drive anyway: soldered SSD.

 

[DeltaMac]

And can't replace the drive anyway: soldered SSD.

The 2017, 13-inch MBPro has two versions.
Function keys model (no touchbar), has a replaceable SSD. Easy if you find another Apple SSD exactly like the original, or you have to find the special adapter to use other PCIe m.2 cards. The physical size is challenging to find.
The Touchbar version, as NoBoMac states, has the SSD soldered in place -- Upgrading the storage means replacing the logic board.

 

[NoBoMac]

Thanks for that. Totally spaced that the non-touchbars have the custom SSD.

 

[hvfsl]

If you can prove the company no longer exists or you have something from them about giving you the laptop, it is probably worth taking to an Apple store and asking for help. Assuming you have wiped the drive correctly, the software has probably installed something on the EFI chip which they might be able to help you factory reset.

 

[Fishrrman]

"If you can prove the company no longer exists or you have something from them about giving you the laptop, it is probably worth taking to an Apple store and asking for help"

I believe the answer from Apple will be a polite, "no".

Apple will only help owners who have physical proof that they are the original owners of the Mac. That means sales receipt, etc. And for "the original owner" only.