08-17-2010, 12:56 AM

Hi there,
I just joined this forum, looks like a great place.
In early july my other half passed away, as if the emotional distress was not enough, his laptop (an Apple Macbook Pro) crashed only days after. I had it at a mac store and they replaced the logic board, it was still under warranty even.
The bad news is, I was told:
Unless you can come up with the password for his
computer it can't be accessed and used - he used an encryption program
that can't be cracked - it needs the password - there is no getting
around it.

I thought I knew the password, but he must have changed it just before he passed away, he usually would tell me as he had to change it often because he used his computer for business and traveled with it.
His account is the only account on the computer and is the admin account. When I take 3 tries at logging in, it then asks me for the master password.

I will be just devastated if there is no way around this. His computer has all our pictures from trips together and pictures of each other, and not to mention all the business contact info. Is there any hope? Or do I just try passwords until I'm 90?

08-17-2010, 05:54 PM

I'm sorry for your loss but look at it this way:
If someone had stolen your laptop would you really want any Tom, **** or Harry looking through all the personal data on the hard drive?

08-17-2010, 05:55 PM

WOW!

Those stars are because I used a well known abbreviation for Richard.

See if you can work it out.

08-17-2010, 06:44 PM

Sorry to read your story. Is the MB Firmware Password Protected do you know as set out in this Apple link:-

Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X

Usually the best advise for folks who have purchased a second hand machine that is Firmware Password Protected is to send it back ~ that is how difficult a problem it is.

And yes we all know about the Richard thingo.

The only suggested remedy is removing the memory:-

http://macosx.com/forums/archive/t-270395.html

08-18-2010, 07:02 AM

As I read what all4qh says, my interpretation is that her first issue is that she can't even log in to his account.

Resetting the master password sounds like it would fix at least that problem.

Here's how to do this if you have a retail or the gray original system discs:
Reset a Lost OS X Account Password | General, System Prefs., Terminal | Mac OS X Tips

Here's how to do it if you don't have them:
Mac 101: Reset your Mac OS X password

09-06-2010, 02:06 PM

Well, I certainly am glad that if the laptop was lost that it is well protected. However trying to continue our business without the most critical tool (the laptop) is proving to be quite frustrating at times, as all our contacts and everything are on there.
I usually did all the administrative work but the password I know just doesn't work, he literally must have changed he the day before he passed away or something. After three tries I am asked to enter the 'master password' to unlock File Vault.
I know wiping the computer clean seems to be my only option, but it defeats the purpose of me needing the info on it.... sooo I'm gonna keep trying passwords and thoroughly look through all my hubby's notebooks to see if maybe he scribbled it down somewhere.
He also had a time capsule back-up which went toast only days after he passed (my luck!) and I'm not trying to figure out if maybe there's a way to recover the data off the TC, then wipe the laptop clean and re-load all the info? Hmmm. Here's my other thread regarding the TC:
http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/air...uter-dead.html

Thanks for the help everyone!

09-06-2010, 02:43 PM

No luck yet.
The computer is protected by 'FileVault' so when I get the admin pw wrong 3 times it asks for the master password to unlock filevault.
Now, if I come up with just the admin pw will that still do? or do I have to come up with the mp now? I understand wiping the computer clean, (or knowing the password!) will be the only way to use it. It's been hard trying to run our business without the laptop! He must have changed the password very recently before passing away, since usually I did all the admin type work for the biz but the password I know doesn't work anymore. Sigh. Gonna look through notepads and such, in hopes that he scribbled it down somewhere.
I am also hopeful that maybe there is a way to get the data off the dead time-capsule, then wipe the computer clean and re-load the info... I can always hope, I'll attach the link for my thread about the TC. Thanks!