MacBook – do besides taking in Macbook to remove firmware password

It is possible for the lost firmware password to be reset, but not by a normal user. As an Apple Certified Macintosh Technician working for a third-party service centre, if someone brings in a machine that has RAM soldered to the Logic Board and they have forgotten their firmware password, I can upload the serial number and request a firmware password reset. We're then provided with a disk image that can reset the firmware on the machine with that specific serial number. I believe, but can't confirm at this stage, that the utility on the disk image may expire after a certain length of time.

For all those concerned about privacy, any technician that requests a firmware password reset will have their details logged on Apple's end — so if it's reset for nefarious purposes, the details about which technician performed the reset can be tracked down quickly. The reset also requires direct, physical access to the machine - the password cannot be reset remotely.

Note: This RAM change trick no longer works on 2010 or newer Macs. I haven't done this in many years, but it did help back when I needed it.

If your laptop is old enough, and you can easily get to the RAM, (depending the model):

Shut down the Mac

Disconnect the power.

Open the MacBook and change the RAM configuration. Add or remove RAM so the amount is changed. Since the HD is dead, you won't need to have minimum RAM to boot OS X.

Close up the MacBook.

Start up and reset the PRAM by holding down Command+Option+P+R. Hold these keys down continuously until you hear the MacBook chime 3 times. Release the keys.

When you see the question mark/folder, power it down by holding down the power button.

Open the MacBook and reinstall the RAM, as well as a brand new HD.

Close it up.

Restore the OS with the installer of your choice.