Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

cleanheadsteve

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 30, 2017
4
0
OK so I've googled around and just don't really want to take my macbook to the genius bar if I don't have to. I bought a sweet mbpro 13.3" for $290 at a pawn shop I routinely do business with. They sold it cheap cause they don't want to hassle with the firmware password issue. Do I have any other option than going to apple to get this sucker unlocked? I don't want to desolder and replace a chip either.
 
Sure. Take you MBPro to an Apple-authorized service provider - one that can do warranty work with Apple products that they sell. They can't clear the password, either, but will call Apple tech support, who CAN clear your password.

If you had an older MBPro (older than a 2011 model, for example), then there is some easy steps to clear a firmware password.
Apple prevents that now, to make the systems more secure. You can't clear an EFI firmware password on your own.

Oh, don't forget that you have to show proof of ownership. Don't know if something from a pawn shop will be good enough for that proof, but all you can do is ask, eh?
 
The pawnshop probably sold it "cheap" because they realized that they'd bought stolen property and wanted to get rid of it.

"Proof of ownership" from a pawn shop ain't gonna help you with Apple.

The way I see it, you have 4 choices:
1. Take it to an Apple genius bar and see if they'll help
2. If they won't, try an "ebay solution"
3. Put it in the closet and forget about it.
4. Sell it "for parts".
 
Last edited:
Pawnshop has records of seller and has all electronics verified as not stolen before they sell. At least this chain does very reputable and all serial numbers intact.
 
Apple will only unlock a FW PW if you are the original purchaser of the machine. I do not trust those bay solutions because you will likely need to send the machine off or trust a guy (somewhere) with your machine information. You have a very pretty paper weight. Replace the logic board, part it out, or return the machine.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.