05-04-2012, 06:29 PM

I have an old iMac G3 slot loading running on OS 9.2. I do not have the admin password or access. I am trying to update the firmware so I can update the OS however it was previously a school computer and is extremely locked down. I do have access to the general account but there's not much available on that. I have the firmware updates on CD. There is no open firmware password. When I try to enter the command terminal or single user mode - I cannot. I boot up holding "apple" + S but it just boots up like normal. How can I fix this? Either by getting into SUM or the command terminal or any other way of being allowed to update the firmware so I can install the new OS!! Thanks!

05-04-2012, 07:37 PM

It sure sounds like that machine has a firmware password locking it down. Are you sure it doesn't have one?

05-04-2012, 11:07 PM

Yes, I booted to openfirmware and entered "setenv security-mode none" and that worked fine. Before that I even set my own password. But if you have any ideas. . . I'm open.

05-04-2012, 11:39 PM

Have a look at this link and check again it is not firmware password protected as chscag suggested. Scroll down until you see the padlock. Was used in a great many schools as an anti-theft protection measure.

Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X

05-05-2012, 12:12 AM

Following the link, that webpage states that it "Requires the password to use the Startup Manager, accessed by pressing the Option key during startup (see below)" but when I use the Option Key I can access that page and change the startup without a password. Also, most of that page is for OS X . . . I will try setting the password myself and see but how can I use it to change the Admin password? Someone else on a diff. forum mentioned that OS 9 doesn't have SUM or a command terminal? Is that correct?