The only way to prove/disprove this theory about the physical
location of the Master Password is to replace the hard drive with one
that boots in another iMac. If the machine boots (either OS 9.x or
10.x), then the FileVault password is contained in OS ROM in the
System Folder (OS 9.x) or in a file in the System (OS 10.x) folder. I
don't know if OS X continues the hardware ROM (logic board)/Mac OS
ROM (software) "New World" architecture of OS 9.x or not; lots of
digging around online couldn't get me an answer to that question.
But since Open Firmware master passwords don't work in OS 9, then a
substitute hard drive loaded with 9.1 or 9.2 should boot the machine.
From there, you could attempt an OS X install and then do a reset of
the Open Firmware password (if it indeed is stored in the ROM on the
logic board) by doing Command, Option, O, F while booting, then
typing reset-nvram, set-defaults, reset-all.
What I'm wondering is whether or not you did a proper attempt to
force remove the Master Password:
1) Remove one of the DIMMs (if there are two), or replace a single
DIMM with one of larger/smaller capacity, or add a second DIMM.
2) Then reboot and do a PRAM reset (Command, Option, P, R) three times.
An earlier poster said this worked for him, and indeed is one of the
"Open Firmware Tricks" I found during a Google search.
HTH.
-- Jim Scott
On Jul 17, 2005, at 11:09 AM, Elizabeth Lalli-Reese wrote:
Harold,
I think that's exactly what the problem is. I've had a few
suggestions of a new logic board, and I think that might be exactly
what I have to do.
Elizabeth
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I guess no matter which volume she starts from it won't work,
since the firmware is somewhere in the computer hardware, outside
of the hard disc, right? Or am I wrong?
Harold
At 11:30 -0600 17/07/05, Jim Dynes wrote:
Put the install CD in an external firewire drive. (You can't boot
from a USB drive)
Hold down the option key while booting and you will get the
option of selecting a bootable device.
Jim
On Jul 17, 2005, at 9:54 AM, Elizabeth Lalli-Reese wrote:
I have tried to start up the computer from an external drive and
the Open Firmware password prevents me from booting from another
CD/drive. I think this computer was used in a school/library
because it's locked down pretty well. If I can get past the Open
Firmware password, I could boot from an external source. Any ideas?
--
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