Need help getting into my late 2011 mbp

[Bbat250]

Apple MacBook Pro 17-Inch "Core i7" 2.4 late 2011​

Hi. I found my old mac laptop but dont remember my password. I would like to access without losing data or do hard reset if that's not possible. There arent any apple id or accounts associated any more. And when i try to access the menu with reboot command R i get the circle with a line through it and i dont know how to access it.

Anybody know how I can salvage this?

Thank you

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

No

 

[Bbat250]

No what? It cant be done?

 

[Rich B22]

No what? It cant be done?

I guess someone just replied with "no" to up their response count. In the meantime, a quick search gave me this. https://lifehacker.com/how-to-break-into-a-mac-and-prevent-it-from-happening-5681710

Good luck

 

[Bbat250]

I guess someone just replied with "no" to up their response count. In the meantime, a quick search gave me this. https://lifehacker.com/how-to-break-into-a-mac-and-prevent-it-from-happening-5681710

Good luck

Oh ok. Well thanks for the reply. Im gonna give it a shot.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Apple MacBook Pro 17-Inch "Core i7" 2.4 late 2011​

Hi. I found my old mac laptop but dont remember my password. I would like to access without losing data or do hard reset if that's not possible. There arent any apple id or accounts associated any more. And when i try to access the menu with reboot command R i get the circle with a line through it and i dont know how to access it.

Anybody know how I can salvage this?

Thank you

The following Apple Support document pertains to you

If your Mac starts up to a circle with a line through it - Apple Support

A circle with a line through it means that your startup disk contains a Mac operating system, but it's not a macOS that your Mac can use.

support.apple.com

 

[Bbat250]

Oh ok. Well thanks for the reply. Im gonna give it a shot.

It says to type these commands but i dont know where each command starts and stops

 

[Bbat250]

Sorry to bother but it isnt working. I keep getting the screen that has a circle with a slash through it. I have tried command R and command S and both have same result

 

[chabig]

I keep getting the screen that has a circle with a slash through it.

Go back to post number 6.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Apple MacBook Pro 17-Inch "Core i7" 2.4 late 2011​

Hi. I found my old mac laptop but dont remember my password. I would like to access without losing data or do hard reset if that's not possible. There arent any apple id or accounts associated any more. And when i try to access the menu with reboot command R i get the circle with a line through it and i dont know how to access it.

Anybody know how I can salvage this?

Thank you

Hi!
Do you have another Mac? If so, open your 2011 (you just need a small phillips screwdriver) and remove the internal HDD.
Then use a SATA to USB adapter (the model below have both USB-A and USB-C versions) to connect the old disk
to your working Mac and access the data inside the user folder.

WAVLINK USB 3.0 to SATA Adapter Cable, External SATA III Hard Drive Connector for 2.5'' SSD/HDD & 3.5" HDD Data Transfer, Support UASP, Trim and S.M.A.R.T. with 3 mins Auto-Sleep, Max 18TB

WAVLINK USB 3.0 to SATA Adapter Cable, External SATA III Hard Drive Connector for 2.5'' SSD/HDD & 3.5" HDD Data Transfer, Support UASP, Trim and S.M.A.R.T. with 3 mins Auto-Sleep, Max 18TB

www.amazon.com

 

[jav6454]

Apple MacBook Pro 17-Inch "Core i7" 2.4 late 2011​

Hi. I found my old mac laptop but dont remember my password. I would like to access without losing data or do hard reset if that's not possible. There arent any apple id or accounts associated any more. And when i try to access the menu with reboot command R i get the circle with a line through it and i dont know how to access it.

Anybody know how I can salvage this?

Thank you

Have you tried removing the storage drive and connecting it up to another Mac as a secondary drive?

 

[Bbat250]

Go back to post number 6.

Hi. Thanks for the reply but command r only gives me the prohib sign. It boots to sign in screen normally but im trying to get into command prompt and no commandR S and command r arent working 👍

 

[Bbat250]

Have you tried removing the storage drive and connecting it up to another Mac as a secondary drive?

No second mac. Thanks for the reply but command r only gives me the prohib sign. It boots to sign in screen normally but im trying to get into command prompt and no commandR S and command r arent working 👍

 

[Bbat250]

Hi!
Do you have another Mac? If so, open your 2011 (you just need a small phillips screwdriver) and remove the internal HDD.
Then use a SATA to USB adapter (the model below have both USB-A and USB-C versions) to connect the old disk
to your working Mac and access the data inside the user folder.

WAVLINK USB 3.0 to SATA Adapter Cable, External SATA III Hard Drive Connector for 2.5'' SSD/HDD & 3.5" HDD Data Transfer, Support UASP, Trim and S.M.A.R.T. with 3 mins Auto-Sleep, Max 18TB

WAVLINK USB 3.0 to SATA Adapter Cable, External SATA III Hard Drive Connector for 2.5'' SSD/HDD & 3.5" HDD Data Transfer, Support UASP, Trim and S.M.A.R.T. with 3 mins Auto-Sleep, Max 18TB

www.amazon.com

Hey i dont. I replied below 👍

 

[diego.caraballo]

Hey i dont. I replied below 👍

Then you can use a Windows PC.
First download and install:

HFS+ for Windows by Paragon Software

Read and write files from HFS+ formatted disks on your Windows PC.

www.paragon-software.com

and then connect the disk using the USB adapter.

 

[Bbat250]

Then you can use a Windows PC.
First download and install:

HFS+ for Windows by Paragon Software

Read and write files from HFS+ formatted disks on your Windows PC.

www.paragon-software.com

and then connect the disk using the USB adapter.

Do i need to buy the usb adapter? Or anything else? Ive never done this but it doesnt sound too bad

 

[Bbat250]

Also is there a free version of the software?

 

[diego.caraballo]

Also is there a free version of the software?

There's a trial version I believe. It would be enough for your needs.
And yes, you need to buy the USB adapter.

 

[bladerunner88]

Have you tried "Target Disk Mode?"

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/transfer-files-mac-computers-target-disk-mode-mchlp1443/mac

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

If all you need to do is to gain access to the data that's on the internal drive, do this (EVERY step is required):

1. Open the MBP and take out the drive. You'll need a Phillips #00 driver (for the screws on the back). You need a TORX T-6 driver to take "the bosses" off the side of the drive. Or, this can be done GENTLY with needle-nose pliers.

2. Once you have the "bare drive" "in your hand", you need an enclosure in which to put it. I recommend this:

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)

www.amazon.com

You can also use a USB3/SATA docking station (cheap and many available).

3. Connect the drive to your NEW Mac via USB3.

4. Let the drive icon mount on the desktop. DO NOT OPEN IT yet.

5. Click on the icon ONE TIME to select it, then summon up the "get info" box (command-i).

6. At the bottom of get info, click the lock icon and enter your password (the one you use with the NEW Mac).

7. Put a checkmark into the box "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions.

8. Close get info.

You should be able to access your data on the old drive now.
You can "copy it over" to your NEW Mac, and anything you copy will "come under the ownership" of your NEW account on the NEW Mac.

Good luck.
If you try this, please come back and tell us how it went...