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Johnfkennedy3364

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 2, 2015
3
0
I am in desperate need or some advice I'm how to unlock my MacBook Air model A1466 . I bought the computer used and shortly thereafter I shipped out with my Peace Core unit. I made the mistake of letting my nephew use the computer and evidently had absolutely no idea what you was doing and from what I have read he remotely locked my computer and does not remember any of the information to unlock it. I have no idea what my Apple ID is for the password for that matter. I was stupid not to write it down but I only have the computer for couple weeks before I left the states. if any one could be kind enough to give me some advice or suggestions on how to troubleshoot this it would be greatly appreciated. unfortunately my warranty is no longer valid and I am NOT about ready to dump hundreds of dollars into tech support. against any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated thank you
 
So long as you don't have encryption turned on your can reset the password quite easy.

Turn off your Mac (choose Apple > Shut Down).
Press the power button while holding down Command-R. The Mac will boot into Recovery mode. When you see the load bar appear you can let go of the keys. It may take a few minutes to load.
Select Disk Utility and press Continue.
Choose Utilities > Terminal.
Enter resetpassword (all one word, lowercase letters) and press Return
Select the volume containing the account (normally this will be your Main hard drive).
Choose the account to change with Select the User Account.
Enter a new password and re-enter it into the password fields.
Enter a new password hint related to the password.
Click Save.
A warning will appear that the password has changed, but not the Keychain Password. Click OK.
Click Apple > Shut Down.
 
So long as you don't have encryption turned on your can reset the password quite easy.

Turn off your Mac (choose Apple > Shut Down).
Press the power button while holding down Command-R. The Mac will boot into Recovery mode.
Unfortunately these steps won't resolve the OP's problem which now has an iCloud lock on it.
 
I have no idea what my Apple ID is for the password for that matter.
If you're not the original buyer and don't know your Apple ID or password, you are probably out of luck. Your Apple ID is one of your email addresses, unless the computer has actually been locked by the person who bought the computer new.
You should contact Apple to see if they can help you reset your Apple ID password, but you will need to know what it is. The hints provided should give you enough information and if what you can see of the email address doesn't look familiar, odds are that the computer was locked by the original owner.
 
I read this as I have this stolen Macbook that the original owner has iCloud locked, does anyone know a way to unlock it? Sorry if this is not the case OP but we get tones of people trying to figure out how to unlock stolen devices. They are very creative with their stories.
 
I am in desperate need or some advice I'm how to unlock my MacBook Air model A1466 . I bought the computer used and shortly thereafter I shipped out with my Peace Core unit. I made the mistake of letting my nephew use the computer and evidently had absolutely no idea what you was doing and from what I have read he remotely locked my computer and does not remember any of the information to unlock it. I have no idea what my Apple ID is for the password for that matter. I was stupid not to write it down but I only have the computer for couple weeks before I left the states. if any one could be kind enough to give me some advice or suggestions on how to troubleshoot this it would be greatly appreciated. unfortunately my warranty is no longer valid and I am NOT about ready to dump hundreds of dollars into tech support. against any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated thank you

Does anyone find it odd that someone in the Peace Corps (not Core) would misspell Peace Corps?
 
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Unfortunately these steps won't resolve the OP's problem which now has an iCloud lock on it.
So long as you don't have encryption turned on your can reset the password quite easy.

Turn off your Mac (choose Apple > Shut Down).
Press the power button while holding down Command-R. The Mac will boot into Recovery mode. When you see the load bar appear you can let go of the keys. It may take a few minutes to load.
Select Disk Utility and press Continue.
Choose Utilities > Terminal.
Enter resetpassword (all one word, lowercase letters) and press Return
Select the volume containing the account (normally this will be your Main hard drive).
Choose the account to change with Select the User Account.
Enter a new password and re-enter it into the password fields.
Enter a new password hint related to the password.
Click Save.
A warning will appear that the password has changed, but not the Keychain Password. Click OK.
Click Apple > Shut Down.
I read this as I have this stolen Macbook that the original owner has iCloud locked, does anyone know a way to unlock it? Sorry if this is not the case OP but we get tones of people trying to figure out how to unlock stolen devices. They are very creative with their stories.
I read this as I have this stolen Macbook that the original owner has iCloud locked, does anyone know a way to unlock it? Sorry if this is not the case OP but we get tones of people trying to figure out how to unlock stolen devices. They are very creative with their stories.

I apologize for not being as knowledgeable as you fellows in the computer department.
I read this as I have this stolen Macbook that the original owner has iCloud locked, does anyone know a way to unlock it? Sorry if this is not the case OP but we get tones of people trying to figure out how to unlock stolen devices. They are very creative with their stories.
I read this as I have this stolen Macbook that the original owner has iCloud locked, does anyone know a way to unlock it? Sorry if this is not the case OP but we get tones of people trying to figure out how to unlock stolen devices. They are very creative with their
 
OP you just need to understand as much as we would like to help you we also need to protect people that have had their property stolen. I'm sure you would not be very happy if someone stole your Macbook then we told them how to get around the security on it.
 
OP - Suggest contacting the seller to ask him for the original receipt from Apple. Or perhaps s/he can contact Apple without to help out.

If you have a locked computer, no memory of the password and log in information, nothing set up in iCloud, and no proof of purchase (assuming used sale was a cash-type transaction, not through a vendor), then you're going to be in a tough position trying to get help. Having the seller's receipt can demonstrate you are a legitimate purchaser.
 
Q
I apologize for not being as knowledgeable as you fellows in the computer department.

I just got off the phone with an apple representative that just informed me that I have 38 days left on my warranty and he just scheduled me an appointment for this afternoon, told him exactly what I told you guys. I even got a case/reference number for my appointment and the details in regards to the problem at hand. from what I've been reading about lockouts in the last days I've been turning this machine on like I have at least a hundred times trying to figure out a solution the find my MacBook feature or whatever you want to call it would have led the person I allegedly stole this from to my location and would assume that if they had a brain their head he would have called law enforcement and I would have been busted red handed already. Secondly after browsing the entire Apple website trying to figure out maybe how to do this myself before I have found out it was still under warranty. The apple Website CLEARLY states they DO NOT deal with lost or stolen computers and to call cops. so why would I call Apple Store give them the serial number to the computer that they requested which I would assume they can look up if the computer has been reported stolen?!?! now if that was the case do you experts really think if they would set me up with an appointment not to mention assuring me that even though I'm not the original owner of the computer the computer is still covered. and another thing all these conversations are recorded and in the event that this is some apple store setup/sting and I did indeed steal it do you think they would set they would risk even the remote possibility of a lawsuitif that magnitude over 1 stolen computer??? you guys hit me with both barrels about being a computer thief I'm sure alot of stuff you get on here the underlying reason is dishonesty and probably most of time do about Stolen computers. so I would very much welcome any replies how to why I would call apple store tell them exactly what I told you guys which if you guys are picking up even the slightest vibe that I'm lying then I would assume they would to. and unless at Apple directly works with law enforcement to get me in there any way possible with a stolen computer, and at the same time why do you on they record the conversation and the official website clearly states they do not do notyou deal with lost or stolen computers because if that's the case and you guys when you deal with people trying to pull the wool over your eyes all the time then another very good assumption would be an overwhelming amount of posts/threads or whatever you guys want to call him on the topic of Apple working directly with law enforcement to bust their customers jeopardizing the reputation of the company and class action lawsuits?! I can't say I blame you Guys for calling me a thief and a liar if indeed this kind of foul play is as prevalent as you guys say it is. you guys are clearly very knowledgeable to be giving advice and how to troubleshoot people's problems that would cost someone who didn't have a warranty an arm and a leg. so it's a very good assumption you guys are good people helping people that don't have the means to help themselves financially or intelligently for that matter. which by the way I do find very thoughtful and selfless of you guys. why i even bothered to take the time to type all this is that you guys go above and beyond to help people. you guys should really think about finding anappropriate/tactful way to try to get information out of the person asking before just jumping the gun because I misspelled a word that by the way these stupid phones change what you actually type maybe you guys could help me troubleshoot that problem or maybe I'm lying about that as well!! my apologies if I didn't cross every T and dot every I in this way too long of an explanation. the only reason I did is because there are people out there that are not all liars. I am also going to make a point to log back on your after I make the three hour round trip not to mention how long it's going to take just sitting there and to show you fellas that I was telling the truth. all this being said I would really appreciate a response of how what I just wrote isnt accurate. last but not least because I am going to prove you people I'm not a filthy liar and a thief.so yiu guys tell me what is going to be sufficient enough proof whether it be a picture with the guy who fixed it or if you want to talk to him directly but you offended me enough too seriously prove to you that not everybody is a liar so you guys tell me what i need to do?!? If you guys put a quarter of the effort into coming up with a halfway creative way to get more evidence of people trying to lie to you to get information then my phone changing corpst to core as you helping people fix their computer problems, you could easily avoid seriously offending the people that ARE NOT LIARS AND THIEVES!! according to a lot of people this is one of the number one sites to help help people computer problems and instead I got insulted and it really does hurt people's feelings especially when they haven't done anything wrong except make mistake of getting on this website and be naive enough to think that people as knowledgeable as you are would have at least more than a misspelled word to justify treating me like a piece of garbage. that would be like me when I go and volunteer every now and again at the local soup kitchen to accuse a hungry homeless man or woman of taking advantage of coming and eating food that a legitimate starving person desperately needs because their shirt or pants weren't as tattered as most people would assume their clothes should look like it. so please at least extend me the courtesy a legitimate argument to why I would be lying about this is well and what you guys need from me to prove that everybody on here our computer thieves or worse because you guys just hurt somebody's heart today

OP you just need to understand as much as we would like to help you we also need to protect people that have had their property stolen. I'm sure you would not be very happy if someone stole your Macbook then we told them how to get around the security on it.
 
Q


I just got off the phone with an apple representative that just informed me that I have 38 days left on my warranty and he just scheduled me an appointment for this afternoon, told him exactly what I told you guys. I even got a case/reference number for my appointment and the details in regards to the problem at hand. from what I've been reading about lockouts in the last days I've been turning this machine on like I have at least a hundred times trying to figure out a solution the find my MacBook feature or whatever you want to call it would have led the person I allegedly stole this from to my location and would assume that if they had a brain their head he would have called law enforcement and I would have been busted red handed already. Secondly after browsing the entire Apple website trying to figure out maybe how to do this myself before I have found out it was still under warranty. The apple Website CLEARLY states they DO NOT deal with lost or stolen computers and to call cops. so why would I call Apple Store give them the serial number to the computer that they requested which I would assume they can look up if the computer has been reported stolen?!?! now if that was the case do you experts really think if they would set me up with an appointment not to mention assuring me that even though I'm not the original owner of the computer the computer is still covered. and another thing all these conversations are recorded and in the event that this is some apple store setup/sting and I did indeed steal it do you think they would set they would risk even the remote possibility of a lawsuitif that magnitude over 1 stolen computer??? you guys hit me with both barrels about being a computer thief I'm sure alot of stuff you get on here the underlying reason is dishonesty and probably most of time do about Stolen computers. so I would very much welcome any replies how to why I would call apple store tell them exactly what I told you guys which if you guys are picking up even the slightest vibe that I'm lying then I would assume they would to. and unless at Apple directly works with law enforcement to get me in there any way possible with a stolen computer, and at the same time why do you on they record the conversation and the official website clearly states they do not do notyou deal with lost or stolen computers because if that's the case and you guys when you deal with people trying to pull the wool over your eyes all the time then another very good assumption would be an overwhelming amount of posts/threads or whatever you guys want to call him on the topic of Apple working directly with law enforcement to bust their customers jeopardizing the reputation of the company and class action lawsuits?! I can't say I blame you Guys for calling me a thief and a liar if indeed this kind of foul play is as prevalent as you guys say it is. you guys are clearly very knowledgeable to be giving advice and how to troubleshoot people's problems that would cost someone who didn't have a warranty an arm and a leg. so it's a very good assumption you guys are good people helping people that don't have the means to help themselves financially or intelligently for that matter. which by the way I do find very thoughtful and selfless of you guys. why i even bothered to take the time to type all this is that you guys go above and beyond to help people. you guys should really think about finding anappropriate/tactful way to try to get information out of the person asking before just jumping the gun because I misspelled a word that by the way these stupid phones change what you actually type maybe you guys could help me troubleshoot that problem or maybe I'm lying about that as well!! my apologies if I didn't cross every T and dot every I in this way too long of an explanation. the only reason I did is because there are people out there that are not all liars. I am also going to make a point to log back on your after I make the three hour round trip not to mention how long it's going to take just sitting there and to show you fellas that I was telling the truth. all this being said I would really appreciate a response of how what I just wrote isnt accurate. last but not least because I am going to prove you people I'm not a filthy liar and a thief.so yiu guys tell me what is going to be sufficient enough proof whether it be a picture with the guy who fixed it or if you want to talk to him directly but you offended me enough too seriously prove to you that not everybody is a liar so you guys tell me what i need to do?!? If you guys put a quarter of the effort into coming up with a halfway creative way to get more evidence of people trying to lie to you to get information then my phone changing corpst to core as you helping people fix their computer problems, you could easily avoid seriously offending the people that ARE NOT LIARS AND THIEVES!! according to a lot of people this is one of the number one sites to help help people computer problems and instead I got insulted and it really does hurt people's feelings especially when they haven't done anything wrong except make mistake of getting on this website and be naive enough to think that people as knowledgeable as you are would have at least more than a misspelled word to justify treating me like a piece of garbage. that would be like me when I go and volunteer every now and again at the local soup kitchen to accuse a hungry homeless man or woman of taking advantage of coming and eating food that a legitimate starving person desperately needs because their shirt or pants weren't as tattered as most people would assume their clothes should look like it. so please at least extend me the courtesy a legitimate argument to why I would be lying about this is well and what you guys need from me to prove that everybody on here our computer thieves or worse because you guys just hurt somebody's heart today
Have you considered that none of us are going to read your missives when you write like this, without paragraphs or punctuation?
 
If I get the story correct, your nephew put a random AppleID & password on your computer and then forgot it. Then he reset it. This prompted for the call for the AppleID and password to bypass the iCloud Activation Lock. This is where you are stuck. If this is true, then the Apple Genius will not be very helpful. The device is actually now useless. Even Apple cannot / will not defeat this. Your nephew will need to contact Apple for assistance with his forgotten account information. They should be able to help him reclaim his account and disable the Activation Lock.

If it is anything else besides an iCloud Activation Lock, you are in good hands here or at the Apple Store.
Good luck and we understand your frustration! Please be patient with us. Let us know what happens.
 
... The apple Website CLEARLY states they DO NOT deal with lost or stolen computers and to call cops. so why would I call Apple Store give them the serial number to the computer that they requested which I would assume they can look up if the computer has been reported stolen?!?! ...

Maybe you didn't steal the computer.

How are we supposed to know that?

Surely you understand our situation.... right?
 
The OP's Wall of Text response was a little over the top, a little hysterical, though this bit was quite poignant:
Q
it really does hurt people's feelings especially when they haven't done anything wrong except make mistake of getting on this website and be naive enough to think that people as knowledgeable as you are would have at least more than a misspelled word to justify treating me like a piece of garbage. that would be like me when I go and volunteer every now and again at the local soup kitchen to accuse a hungry homeless man or woman of taking advantage of coming and eating food that a legitimate starving person desperately needs because their shirt or pants weren't as tattered as most people would assume their clothes should look like it. so please at least extend me the courtesy a legitimate argument to why I would be lying about this is well and what you guys need from me to prove that everybody on here our computer thieves or worse because you guys just hurt somebody's heart today

As being probably one of the guys who has accused you of being a thief, treated you like a piece of garbage, hurt your heart (most moving, that), etc., let me apologize for all of the above, should they apply. And add, I would be interested in learning of your soup kitchen volunteering exploits in the future. And just for future reference, when inspiring others with your Peace Corps involvement, remember that it is spelled, "Peace Corps" (it's little missteps like that which tend to make people suspect of your veracity).

Sincerely,

Albert Schweitzer
 
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+1. If anyone can do something it will be the Apple store.

Depending. If FileVault 2 is enabled, and the user didn't store the key with Apple, unless they have a copy of that key, there is nothing that even Apple could do about it. If it isn't enabled, there might be something, but that even runs the risk of other users having access to the data there, especially if the MBA does get stolen.

BL.
 
Depending. If FileVault 2 is enabled, and the user didn't store the key with Apple, unless they have a copy of that key, there is nothing that even Apple could do about it. If it isn't enabled, there might be something, but that even runs the risk of other users having access to the data there, especially if the MBA does get stolen.

BL.

The problem is that the computer is locked and can't be used. I assume the data on it is irrelevant, so FileVault doesn't come into play.
 
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