Pin lost

[Hyppo]

Hi All.
I've been given an 2015 Mac-mini 7.1 But the former owner has given up using it for several years. He don't remember the login pin, even with the hint to recover he can't remember.
Can somebody let me know how to recover that pin or what to do to begin to use it. I can of course login as a Guest, but it's not the solution.
Thank you

 

[Fishrrman]

That's a 2014 Mini, not a 2015.

When you say "login pin", what do you mean?

There is a login PASSWORD to one's account.

There might also be a "firmware password" at the early stages of the boot process. If you have this in front of you, it could be a problem.

Take a pic of what you're seeing with a camera and post it here.

The easiest way to get it running I can think of:
1. Boot to INTERNET recovery:
command-OPTION-R
at boot

2. If you are connecting via wifi, you'll need your wifi password.

3. Be patient "as the globe spins" -- the utilities take a while to load.

4. When you get to the utilities, open disk utility.

5. Check to see if there's a "view" menu. If there is, YOU MUST go to the view menu and choose "show all devices".

6. Look at "the list on the left". The topmost line should represent the physical drive inside. Click on it and then click "erase".

7. Erase to "APFS, GUID partition format". It should take only a few seconds.

8. Quit disk utility and open the OS installer. Start "clicking through".

9. The Mini will restart one or more times, and the screen may go dark for periods of time with no other indication of activity. Be patient.

10. When done, you should see the initial setup screen. Start clicking through to set up your new user account.

 

[Hyppo]

Thank you Fisfrrman!
Computer is up and ready to go thanks to you!