Open Firmware Password utility in Leopard
March 1, 2008 at 7:30 pm | In Mac OS X | 11 CommentsTags: 10.5, Leopard, Open Firmware, password, utility
Today I needed to boot a PowerBook into target disk mode to transfer some files. Since I had previously set the Open Firmware password, holding down the “t” key while booting wouldn’t work. A brief attempt to find an Open Firmware command for booting into target disk mode was unsuccessful, so I decided to temporarily disable the Open Firmware password.
Under Panther, I had used Apple’s Open Firmware Password utility to set the firmware password. According to the download page for the utility, though, it’s not compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 or later. Instead, the reader is directed to the /Applications/Utilities/ folder on the installation disc. Frustratingly, when I inserted the Leopard installation disc, I couldn’t find an Applications folder, let alone a firmware password utility.
Turns out the preferred means for setting, resetting, or disabling the Open Firmware password in Leopard is to boot from the installation disc. Then at the “Welcome” screen choose “Firmware Password Utility” from the “Utilities” menu and proceed as directed. If you haven’t set an Open Firmware password, booting from the installation disc is simply a matter of inserting the disc and holding down the “c” key as you boot. If you have set an Open Firmware password, though, it’s a bit tricker. Insert the installation disc and hold down the Option key as you boot your Mac. When you see the padlock image, enter your Open Firmware password. On the next screen, click on the “Mac OS X Install DVD” button and then click the right arrow. Your system should now boot from the installation disc.
Another option is to run the Firmware Password Utility from the command line. First log into an account with administrator privileges and then insert the Leopard installation disc. Next open a Terminal window and type “open /Volumes/Mac OS X Install DVD/Applications/”. Now you can access the Utilities folder and double-click on “Firmware Password Utility”.
For more information on Open Firmware and firmware password protection, see the Apple Knowledgebase article Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X.
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Thanks for posting this – both timely and helpful.
Comment by Roger — March 4, 2008 #
You’re welcome, Roger! Glad you found it helpful.
Comment by Victor — March 4, 2008 #
Ditto what Roger said.
Comment by Brent — March 14, 2008 #
If you have a open firmware password set in leopard and want to use your computer in Target Disk Mode without disabling the Firmware Password: Logon to your computer via an administrator account, open system Preferences > Startup disk and select the option for Target Disk Mode.
If you wish to disable the open firmware password insert your 10.5 installer disc or mount a volume containing a 10.5 installer and select to boot from the respective system in: System Preferences > Startup disk.
Comment by Johnyz — March 19, 2008 #
Great article, thanks for your research. Unfortunately, my laptop was stolen while having lunch today and I regret that I didn’t implement these types of measure to make life harder for the thieves. I just set the password up on my Penryn MacBook Pro. Thanks again, and for all laptop users out there, watch your stuff!
Comment by Julius O — April 2, 2008 #
Thx a lot !! I had been stolen my macbook and I have regret to not put this password..Now,I have a new macbook pro… I want to protect my data !! Thx
Comment by Edwood — April 13, 2008 #
Bless you for posting this – I was having trouble finding the answer to this on Apple’s website!
Comment by sarge — May 12, 2008 #
PLEASE NOTE:
It appears that you have incorrectly given the command line above. It doesn’t work with Leopard 10.5.x. Instead use:
open /Volumes/Mac\ OS\ X\ Install\ DVD/Applications
I recommend:
# Boot normally into Mac OS X. You should be able to do this, because you’re not changing any boot options.
# Insert the OS X Leopard DVD into your computer. The popup will appear asking to install OS X. Just ignore or close it.
# Open Terminal by going to Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal or typing ‘Terminal’ into Spotlight.
# Enter the following: open /Volumes/Mac\ OS\ X\ Install\ DVD/Applications
# In the Finder window that opens, choose Utilities and then Firmware Password Utility.
Comment by HSK — March 7, 2009 #
Great answer!
Thanks a lot, solved my problem.
Comment by Gounderground — May 1, 2009 #
i am working on a lab situation where i need to delegate a local admin user and i want to prevent this person from all means of using a system disk to override my changes.
does anyone know how to stop local admin from inserting a boot disk while logged in, clicking on install, restarting, and continuing to make changes?
since it is easy for this person to acquire a system disk, i do not have the computers fully protected from the risk of system installation changes that are not conducted by me.
my idea was to force the restarting to the cd prompt root’s password, not just a local admin. problem is im not sure how to do this one!
Comment by geterdun — March 25, 2009 #
Hi guys, i’ve just got a macbook with the open firmware password protection, which i don’t have neither the password neither the instalation dvd, i’m asking for a solution for these guys please help very urgent !!
Comment by cefkiller — July 3, 2009 #