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My MacBook pro got stolen

M

Melbourne

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 15, 2012
2
0
Hi there, I just had my MacBook pro stolen today. Not happy. Can anyone help me locate it. I've used the APP lost my iPhone to try and locate it. But I think it's switched off. Now I have locked my MacBook remotely, to discover that the location can not be found when it's locked. How can I unlock it, and is there any way I can find the serial number via iTunes on the net. Any help would be so Appreciated. Thank. You
 
Sorry about that. I hate thieves.

I highly would recommend next time you have Undercover or something similar installed.

Your best bet would have been to wait like a hawk until that user started using it so you could track the location and pass it over to the local authorities. If the user can't login at all, then you won't be able to track the laptop.

If they are "smart" enough, they would pop out the hard drive and just reformat it....or if it has lion and no firmware password, just holding down option to reinstall Lion.
 
Bummer. Really a shame to have things you work hard for stolen by criminals. Wish you hadn't locked it as that limits your options. What were the circumstances of the theft? Homeowners insurance may cover it or if purchased with a credit card you may have options there.

Good luck, hope you get your stuff back.
 
Possible Credit Card Insurance Claim?

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I hope Apple can help you track it down. Also, on the remote chance you purchased it less than 90 days ago on an American Express, you could be eligible for a maximum of $1000 insurance claim: https://www212.americanexpress.com/...toid=ac0cbc0508bdf210VgnVCM40000037b3ad94RCRD.

Also, when the website comes back online, try https://supportprofile.apple.com/MySupportProfile.do

Good luck with everything.

----------

Also, another option is to see if you the device is registered here (the website seems down at the moment): https://supportprofile.apple.com/MySupportProfile.do
 
My condolences.

Another vote for Undercover. If the OP had it on the stolen Mac things might be a lot different. Find My Mac is free but it doesn't have the features of Undercover.

You only have to pay for Undercover one time and it is transferable when you get a new Mac. There are individual and family plans. I have it installed on all our Macs. I've been using it for over four years and I have never had to pay an upgrade fee when a new version is released. There is also a version for iOS devices.

www.orbicule.com
 
Thank you everyone for posting your advice. I feel like an idiot for remotely locking the mac. Just wasn't thinking. I thought it was the best thing to do initially. But then realising it's not, I hope I've not blown it. I'm doing this for my girlfriend as its her mac that was stolen. She was at a free herb garden in a nice neighbour hood just picking herbs and taking photos with her friend, when she sat it down for 5 mins, realised then went to find it, GONE ! Who does that sort of stuff. She has only had it for 2/3 weeks. She is so upset.

Its reported to the police. Next is letting local pawn brokers etc know about it. Is there any way I can unlock it remotely. Then as everyone has so kindly said, I can track it and hand over the location to the authorities. Insurance will not cover it.

All advice is very much appreciated.
 
SDAVE said:
Sorry about that. I hate thieves.

I highly would recommend next time you have Undercover or something similar installed.

Your best bet would have been to wait like a hawk until that user started using it so you could track the location and pass it over to the local authorities. If the user can't login at all, then you won't be able to track the laptop.

If they are "smart" enough, they would pop out the hard drive and just reformat it....or if it has lion and no firmware password, just holding down option to reinstall Lion.
Click to expand...

Theres a way to put a password on the firmware???
 
Once the Mac is locked via Find My Mac it can no longer access the Internet, so there is no way to unlock it remotely.
 
wikus said:
Theres a way to put a password on the firmware???
Click to expand...

Yup. If you have Lion, launch into the recovery mode and put a password on the firmware. This forces the user to enter a password if they are trying to boot from a different drive by holding down Option.

I have undercover on my MBP, a firmware password, a passworded account (my main) and a guest login with WiFi enabled...so if the user is not "smart enough" he/she will log in without issues and I can track them.
 
Melbourne said:
Thank you everyone for posting your advice. I feel like an idiot for remotely locking the mac. Just wasn't thinking. I thought it was the best thing to do initially. But then realising it's not, I hope I've not blown it. I'm doing this for my girlfriend as its her mac that was stolen. She was at a free herb garden in a nice neighbour hood just picking herbs and taking photos with her friend, when she sat it down for 5 mins, realised then went to find it, GONE ! Who does that sort of stuff. She has only had it for 2/3 weeks. She is so upset.
Click to expand...

Sorry for her loss.

Has anyone considered embedding a small GSP unit inside the MBP that functions irrespective of whether or not the unit is online (sort of like the trackers that police use)?

Any practicality to that?
 
Ha funny how I just found out who stole my laptop. What's up chad... Caught ya buddy. Pretty stupid of you to try and figure out how to change my tracking devices. Too much detail. Backpack in car with other devices.... Rookie
 
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