“OCM BOCES “ remote management

deefosterpa wrote:

Thank you! I was actually looking at OWC and found an affordable MAC. I just have one question that maybe you can answer. 🤞🏻 It says “Supports up to macOS 15.x Sequoia”, do you know if that is already loaded onto the MAC?

As Bob indicated, to be 100% certain of which MacOS is installed, you would need to contact OWC before buying. You can call the number listed on their site or use their "Chat" option, I think it's a quick and simple question for them to answer. However it really doesn't matter: if an earlier MacOS is installed and the model supports Sequoia (MacOS 15), you would just run Software update and it would update the MacOS in a few minutes. I would do this right after receiving it so if anything goes amiss, you can return it (they have a no questions asked 14-day return policy). You can also get OWC Macs with a much longer warranty, which is something to consider as well.

deefosterpa wrote:

Help! I ran an update on my mid-2012 MacBook Pro and now it comes up with “OCM BOCES” can automatically configure your computer. What is this and how do I get rid of it? It wants me to enter my credentials for “OCM BOCES” but I’ve never signed in with this company

Did you buy the computer new or was it previously owned by a company? It sounds like the computer has a mdm profile configured.

People who sell used Macs sometimes are selling their school's or employer's computer. This is akin to theft. The real owner may have a "profile" installed to remotely manage the computer. It can be dormant for years until an update is applied at which point it requires the true owner to execute or approve the update. My guess with such an old computer is that the real owner does not even communicate any more with the computer, but the profile requires the concurrence with the central control/owner to proceed. In some instances you can ignore the message you got, but in others it prevents you from using the computer anymore.

This is why buying a used computer from an unknown source can be a problem. Apple and OWC are reliable sellers, but I would not trust anyone else.

If you can keep using the Mac, keep using it. If it won't allow you to do regular things, then if you can't contact the real owner, you will need a new Mac most likely. You can try to wipe the computer and start from scratch but even that is usually prevented by these remote management devices.

If you are in the market for a new computer but want it to be "pre-owned," OWC has a wide range of options, most with a warranty.

deefosterpa wrote:

Thank you! I was actually looking at OWC and found an affordable MAC. I just have one question that maybe you can answer. 🤞🏻 It says “Supports up to macOS 15.x Sequoia”, do you know if that is already loaded onto the MAC?

Contact OWC and ask them what operating system version is installed.

deefosterpa wrote:

I bought it used 4 years ago. This is the first time this has happened.

Is there a workaround?

The previous owner must remove the profile.