Attempting to boot into Yosemite from external drive rejects password

Question

Level 1

54 points

Attempting to boot into Yosemite from external drive rejects password

I need to access old software which no longer runs under my current OS 10.13.6. It last ran under Yosemite. I have Yosemite installed on an external drive. When I attempt to boot from that drive I am asked for a password. The admin password for the computer is not accepted. Neither is my Apple id. When running in its normal operating mode I do not have the computer protected by a password: i.e. it boots up without any password being needed.

Can anyone suggest how I can get Yosemite to get through the password phase?

Many thanks in advance,

John

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Nov 4, 2024 8:20 AM

Reply

Answer 1

HWTech

Level 9

60,284 points

Nov 4, 2024 1:57 PM in response to John Howarth

Do you have a firmware password lock enabled which will show up with a lock icon on the screen. See this Apple article for details:

Set a firmware password on your Mac - Apple Support

If you have a firmware password lock enabled, then you need to provide the proper password, or take it to Apple or an AASP to have them remove the firmware lock (requires adequate proof of purchase along with matching personal ID).

With a firmware password lock enabled, then you will only be able to boot to the internal drive unless you can provide the firmware lock password (or have it removed).

Reply

Answer 2

John Howarth Author

Level 1

54 points

Nov 5, 2024 9:00 AM in response to HWTech

Thanks for your reply.

I booted in recovery mode, and got straight to the Utility screen. I did not see a lock screen. Reading the instructions in the link you provided, this seems to imply that there is no firmware password. The screen that I am getting stuck on when I try to boot from the external drive is the user screen: it has my correct username for this computer already shown, (together with an 'other' alternative), but will not accept the admin password I would usually use on this computer. I can't think of any other likely passwords I use on this computer, apart from my Apple id.

Reply