Who’s responsible?

Manxman_in_exile

So is there a problem with the Macbook itself or have you simply forgotten your user login?

purple_duck

Manxman_in_exile said:

So is there a problem with the Macbook itself or have you simply forgotten your user login?

I forgot my login details, so selected the option available (something like login in with Apple ID) but this just put it into a firmware lock. This isn’t something I set so obviously wasn’t cleared when the laptop was refurbished. So I am now locked out.

Spank

Don't use Mac's so don't know if this will work
https://osxdaily.com/2015/01/28/forgot-mac-firmware-password-what-now/

JReacher1

Spank said:

Don't use Mac's so don't know if this will work
https://osxdaily.com/2015/01/28/forgot-mac-firmware-password-what-now/

Sounds like apple themselves have the ability to bypass this so all the OP needs to do is go to an apple store and they sort it for them. 

Great post. 

mikb

JReacher1 said:

Spank said:

Don't use Mac's so don't know if this will work
https://osxdaily.com/2015/01/28/forgot-mac-firmware-password-what-now/

Sounds like apple themselves have the ability to bypass this so all the OP needs to do is go to an apple store and they sort it for them. 

Or, if the Apple "genius bar" turn out to be not so genius, and say "This can't be fixed, New Motherboard, £1500 please, and kiss all your data goodbye" you could try independent non-Apple authorised repairers. They may have a different answer that is more reasonable.