Disabling firmware password protection

In Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard® and Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard®, firmware password protection is enabled using the Firmware Password Utility on the Mac OS X Install DVD. Enabling firmware password protection disables most of the keyboard shortcuts for starting up, such as holding the C key to start up from the Mac OS X Install DVD. Before undertaking some troubleshooting activities, it may be necessary to disable firmware password protection.

Disabling firmware password protection is essentially the same process as enabling it, but deselecting Require password to start this computer from another source in the Firmware Password Utility. To use the Firmware Password Utility after enabling firmware password protection, you must start up from the Mac OS X Install DVD via the Startup Manager. The following example, based on Snow Leopard, details the process::

  1. Insert the Mac OS X Install DVD into the optical drive of the Mac.
  2. Restart the Mac using the Startup Manager: press and hold the Option key as soon as you hear the startup tone.
  3. The Firmware Password prompt appears. Type the firmware password for the computer, then click the arrow or press Return. If you typed the firmware password correctly, the screen will change to show available startup disks, including Macintosh HD and the Mac OS X Install DVD.
  4. Click the Mac OS X Install DVD. Then either click the arrow beneath it or press Return. The Mac begins to start up form the disc.
  5. When prompted, choose your language, then either click the arrow or press Return. After a short time, the Install Mac OS X window appears.
  6. In the menu bar, choose Utilities > Firmware Password Utility…. The Firmware Password Utility will load: be patient, as it loads slowly.
  7. In the Firmware Password Utility window, click New.
  8. In the Firmware Password Utility window, deselect Require password to start this computer from another source.
  9. Click OK. The Firmware Password Utility window displays text indicating that the changes will be implemented after a restart.
  10. Click Quit. Focus returns to the Install Mac OS X window.
  11. Quit (Command-Q) the Installer. Choose Restart when prompted.
  12. After restarting, firmware password protetion is disabled. Eject the Mac OS X Install DVD from the optical drive and store it properly.

Related links

"Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X."
Did you find this FAQ helpful? You will find a wealth of additional advice for preventing or resolving Mac OS X problems in Dr. Smoke's book, Troubleshooting Mac® OS X.
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