mac mini (A1176) trouble

[bdub531]

I apologize if this isn't in the correct thread or not but I've tried just about everything that google can offer me as well as surfing forums.

Here's the deal.

I bought this mac mini from ebay. Upon first boot everything worked fine and dandy but the mac mini was setup as a web kiosk. (use for only a web browser) I assume the seller was using it as a server of some sort. Anyways so I know that everything is in working condition. I used my OS X disk to erase the hard disk and install OS X (10.6). Now I know everything installed right as I am able to view it as an external drive and even boot from it using any other Mac.

Anyways here's the real issue. Now every time I boot I get the flashing question mark folder. I've tried every single key command to restart, reset, re configure the d*** thing and the only combination that proves worthy seems to be using alt / option key to supposedly get to boot select. However used mac = admin password I do not know. Seeing as no other key command works (can't boot to disk, etc...) is there anything that can be done to either clear the boot select from asking a password or what options do I have.

Hardware is all working as it worked before I formatted. HDD is working as it works fine with other macs. Even the terminal try to change password won't open as the key command for that too doesn't work.

I apologize again I'm fairly new to macs however I am very savvy and can figure out any instructions. This would be greatly appreciated and save me a lot of money if anyone has ideas as to what can be done.

Please feel free to respond / message me and I'll be watching to respond with my efforts.

Thanks,

BDuB531

 

[dtravis7]

Are you saying that a password box pops up right after the Startup Sound when you hold down the option key to select the Hard Drive to boot from??

 

[bdub531]

Re:

Yes when I hold option key, there is a picture of a lock with a box for a password which I do not know.

 

[dtravis7]

Oh my. Let me get back to you on that one. Never had it myself but have an idea what is going on.

 

[pigoo3]

I'm a bit confused. You said you:

- erased the hard drive
- did a fresh install of 10.6
- and can boot another Mac from this disk (Mac Mini's internal drive)

My question is...since installing OS 10.6 on the Mac Mini...have you ever been able to boot to the Mac Mini's desktop? Just the Mac Mini...no 2nd Mac.

If not...are you saying that all you get on the Mac-Mini after installing 10.6 is the flashing question mark icon?

- Nick

 

[bdub531]

Re:

That would be great. Just want to clearify again that the option key is the only key command that will respond with anything upon boot. Which is where I run into the password. Hopefully there is an answer out there.

Thanks again for looking into it. Appreciate any help.

- BDuB531




Yes Nick,

All the mac mini shows is the "? Folder." and the only key command that responds with anything is Option but i hit the password.

 

[pigoo3]

I'm not sure if this is what "dtravis7" is thinking...but it's possible your Mac-mini was setup by the previous owner with a firmware password:

Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X

If so...this is a problem & a pain in the butt to remove.

Maybe you could contact the person you purchased this Mac-Mini from on e-Bay to get the password from them.

HTH,

- Nick

 

[bdub531]

Re:

Looking as what that does to an Intel based mac, it would seem blocking all key commands and only allowing access via password with option boot, this is my situation.... Now to only find a way around this?

p.s. guy who sold me the mac mini is nowhere to be heard from. Atleast not to any of my emails.


I've found a few forums regarding disabling Open Firmware Password. Talks alot about changing RAM config and pulling battery. PRAM resetting a few times. I'll give this a go but would love any other tips on disabling Open Firmware Password or any other insight as to what the problem could also be. As of now looking really good its the OFP.

Thanks again for all the help,

BDuB531

 

[dtravis7]

I'm not sure if this is what "dtravis7" is thinking...but it's possible your Mac-mini was setup by the previous owner with a firmware password:

Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X

If so...this is a problem & a pain in the butt to remove.


- Nick

Thanks Nick, that is exactly what I was thinking. I am working on an iBook G3 700 that a friend bought off their neighbor and am quite busy. Thanks again for helping him with that URL!

Edit: I just read that URL. Dang!

 

[pigoo3]

Now to only find a way around this?

p.s. guy who sold me the mac mini is nowhere to be heard from. Atleast not to any of my emails.

Read this article:

Macintosh Security Site -> Open Firmware Password Protection Mac OS

Towards the bottom it explains how to get arounds this...two sections:

- "Disabling Password Protection"
- "Force Removing Password Protection"

The 2nd method ("Force Removing Password Protection") of removing the firmware password seems much easier & more straight forward.

It's quite possible that the person you purchased this Mac-mini from had the same problem...couldn't fix it...put it on e-Bay for sale...and then you bought it.

Hope this helps,

- Nick

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks again for helping him with that URL!

Edit: I just read that URL. Dang!

You're welcome!

If you liked that first link...give this 2nd link a read...regarding removing the firmware password:

Macintosh Security Site -> Open Firmware Password Protection Mac OS

- Nick

 

[bdub531]

Re:

Thanks again for the link and your support. I'll give this a go first thing tomorrow.

Now hopefully this does the trick, if not like you said looks like a might be stuck with it.

Also I was wondering why it wouldn't just boot to the HDD with OSX installed on it? Maybe cause it's an older mac mini? Just a thought cause the OFP shouldn't be blocking that. Anyways I'll be updating this tomorrow with the results of Force OFP removal.

Thanks again,

BDuB531

 

[dtravis7]

I own that same mini. It started as a 1.66 Core Duo but I modded it to a C2D 2.16Ghz. Otherwise the same. Never an issue booting from SL. Let us know what happens after you try that Firmware Password Removal.

 

[pigoo3]

Also I was wondering why it wouldn't just boot to the HDD with OSX installed on it? Maybe cause it's an older mac mini? Just a thought cause the OFP shouldn't be blocking that.

You're not understanding what an Open Firmware Password (OFP) does. "Normal" passwords are created and stored within the OS "layer" on the hard drive. Firmware passwords are "deeper" in the system. This makes then more secure & makes your Mac even less accessible to "bad people". But the downside is (as you're experiencing)...they are tougher to remove...and you need to be more knowledgeable of their existence & how to remove them.

That's why "just booting from the HDD with OS X on it" doesn't work. If this was possible...then a computer with an OFP would not be protected. OFP's can be a very risky thing to setup...that's why it's a good idea for most users to never set an OFP!

- Nick

 

[bdub531]

oh ok. I got it now. Yah that makes complete sense Nick. I'll be trying the force remove later today after class so I'll be posting again soon.

Hopefully it works for me.

BDuB531

 

[pigoo3]

oh ok. I got it now. Yah that makes complete sense Nick. I'll be trying the force remove later today after class so I'll be posting again soon.

I'm looking forward to seeing how things turn out as well. Firstly to see if you indeed do have a "OFP" issue...and if you do, if you are successful in removing it.

Good luck,

- Nick

 

[dtravis7]

Same on my end. I am eagerly awaiting your reply and hope you post a Success. That sure sounds like the issue. People who use computers that way in a kiosk often lock them down for obvious reasons. Only thing that bugs me is either he should have removed the password or told the buyer it was there.

 

[pigoo3]

Only thing that bugs me is either he should have removed the password or told the buyer it was there.

When I asked the OP why not contact the previous owner for the password...OP said they cannot get hold of the previous owner (e-Bay auction).

My long-shot theory is:

- the OP (owner "C") purchased this Mac-mini from someone else (e-Bay, owner "B")
- owner "B" had the same problem (firmware password)...but didn't know how to fix it...and is not replying to the OP (owner "C") because they (owner "B") knew that they were selling a Mac-mini on e-Bay with this password problem.
- owner "B"...may have purchased this Mac-mini from owner "A"...who may have been the "Kiosk person".

Just a theory...this is what happens when you have a spare 5 minutes to think too much!

- Nick

 

[dtravis7]

Hey Nick, I would not be surprised in the least if your theory is correct. I guess we will never know for sure as the seller will not write the buyer back, but today, anything is possible!

 

[pigoo3]

Hey Nick, I would not be surprised in the least if your theory is correct. I guess we will never know for sure as the seller will not write the buyer back, but today, anything is possible!

Who even knows...the list of previous owners could even be longer...I only did C, B, A...it could be F, E, D, C, B, A. These firmware passwords (if this is truly the OP's problem) can be REALLY confusing if you don't know how to fix them!

Not nearly as easy to fix/reset as the "Admin" user ID & password that an OS install sets up.

- Nick