Apple is no help

[Austinking]

I have a 2011 MacBook Pro the Operating system has a bug and won’t boot into the desk top and I forgot the firmware password. I have been fighting with Apple for a week know over this because they won’t touch it and no other computer store knows how to fix it so I thought as a last effort to fix it I would see if anyone on here can help me out

 

[Banglazed]

Why wouldn't Apple help you? Did you bring your proof of receipt to verify you are the owner of the laptop?

 

[Austinking]

They told me it’s a vintage computer and they can’t work on it

 

[startergo]

They told me it’s a vintage computer and they can’t work on it

you can try this:
http://www.cmizapper.com/products/brutus.html
Make sure it will work on your laptop

 

[Austinking]

Thanks for replying but it only works on 4-6 digit number codes so the odds of it working are pretty slim. I found on the internet that I can boot internet recovery and use disk Utility to reinstall Mac is that correct?

 

[Draeconis]

Thanks for replying but it only works on 4-6 digit number codes so the odds of it working are pretty slim. I found on the internet that I can boot internet recovery and use disk Utility to reinstall Mac is that correct?

Not when you've got an EFI password set.

I'm in the exact position you're in funnily enough. The only fix is to zap the EFI chip to reset it, but these tools are a little expensive, and only seem to work once..

 

[maflynn]

Its a 8 year old computer that apple has dropped support for. If they won't touch it, then you're basically out of luck

 

[lambertjohn]

I agree with maflynn. It's eight years old. Time to dump the thing and move on. Sell it on eBay for "parts only" and use the money to buy a new computer.

 

[maflynn]

Time to dump the thing and move on

It certainly doesn't owe him anything at this point. While my laptop is still functioning, I have a 2012, and it was replaced this january. My kids now use it and like the 2011 it lived a good life, though I'll not put any more money into it at this stage.

 

[Audit13]

Is this a 15 MacBook? If yes, it may not be booting due to a failed GPU.

 

[MBAir2010]

there is a way, deltamac and some other member here can solve this problem, in a sentence or less!
i fixed my mbair 2010 last November with the original ssd card/hd i screwed up through time machine.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

If it's a 15" or 17" 2011 MPB, research "RadeonGate".
Well known problem.

Best advice:
- Get a new or Apple-refurbished MacBook.
- Take the internal drive OUT OF the old MBP (use a Phillips #00 driver to remove the screws)
- Get a USB3/SATA dongle/adapter
- See what you can get off of the old drive.

In the future, I suggest that you DO NOT attempt to set a firmware password.
You can see what kind of problems it's causing for you now.

 

[Austinking]

Thanks to everyone that commented on here I think I’m going to sell it for parts a buy a new one as you said it’s 8 years old and doesn’t owe me anything

 

[MBAir2010]

try to find the password somehow, or even try to find out what the "bug" is.
i have resurrected my mini and MBair and ipods couple times after walking away from them.
run safe mode, reset pram just dont give up today, keep trying and maybe next month you might find a source to fix the mbpro.