diff --git a/iop/hdd/apa/src/hdd_fio.c b/iop/hdd/apa/src/hdd_fio.c
index d2d8c276d84..e8db14df0da 100644
--- a/iop/hdd/apa/src/hdd_fio.c
+++ b/iop/hdd/apa/src/hdd_fio.c
@@ -492,13 +492,13 @@ static int apaRemove(s32 device, const char *id, const char *fpwd)
 }
 
 // Unofficial helper for renaming APA partitions.
-static int apaRename(s32 device, const apa_params_t *oldParams, const apa_params_t *newParams)
+static int apaRename(s32 device, const char *oldId, const char *newId)
 {
     apa_cache_t *clink;
     int i, rv;
 
     // look to see if can make(newname) or not...
-    if ((clink = apaFindPartition(device, newParams->id, &rv)) != NULL) {
+    if ((clink = apaFindPartition(device, newId, &rv)) != NULL) {
         apaCacheFree(clink);
         SignalSema(fioSema);
         return -EEXIST; // File exists
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ static int apaRename(s32 device, const apa_params_t *oldParams, const apa_params
     // look to see if open(oldname)
     for (i = 0; i < apaMaxOpen; i++) {
         if (hddFileSlots[i].f != NULL) {
-            if (memcmp(hddFileSlots[i].id, oldParams->id, APA_IDMAX) == 0) {
+            if (memcmp(hddFileSlots[i].id, oldId, APA_IDMAX) == 0) {
                 SignalSema(fioSema);
                 return -EBUSY;
             }
@@ -515,27 +515,23 @@ static int apaRename(s32 device, const apa_params_t *oldParams, const apa_params
     }
 
     // Do not allow system partitions (__*) to be renamed.
-    if (oldParams->id[0] == '_' && oldParams->id[1] == '_')
+#ifndef APA_ALLOW_REMOVE_PARTITION_WITH_LEADING_UNDERSCORE
+    if (oldId[0] == '_' && oldId[1] == '_')
         return -EACCES;
+#endif
 
     // find :)
-    if ((clink = apaFindPartition(device, oldParams->id, &rv)) == NULL) {
+    if ((clink = apaFindPartition(device, oldId, &rv)) == NULL) {
         SignalSema(fioSema);
         return rv;
     }
 
-    // Check for access rights.
-    if (apaPassCmp(clink->header->fpwd, oldParams->fpwd) != 0) {
-        apaCacheFree(clink);
-        return -EACCES;
-    }
-
     // do the renaming :) note: subs have no names!!
-    memcpy(clink->header->id, newParams->id, APA_IDMAX);
+    memcpy(clink->header->id, newId, APA_IDMAX);
 
-    // Update passwords
-    memcpy(clink->header->rpwd, newParams->rpwd, APA_PASSMAX);
-    memcpy(clink->header->fpwd, newParams->fpwd, APA_PASSMAX);
+    // touch creation time
+    apaGetTime(&clink->header->created);
+    clink->header->checksum = apaCheckSum(clink->header, 1);
 
     clink->flags |= APA_CACHE_FLAG_DIRTY;
 
@@ -761,23 +757,13 @@ int hddDread(iomanX_iop_file_t *f, iox_dirent_t *dirent)
 }
 
 /*  Originally, SONY provided no function for renaming partitions.
-    Syntax: rename <Old ID>,<fpwd> <New ID>,<fpwd>
-
-    The full-access password (fpwd) is required.
-    System partitions (__*) cannot be renamed. */
+    Syntax: rename <Old ID> <New ID>*/
 int hddReName(iomanX_iop_file_t *f, const char *oldname, const char *newname)
 {
-    apa_params_t oldParams;
-    apa_params_t newParams;
     int rv;
 
-    if ((rv = fioGetInput(oldname, &oldParams)) < 0)
-        return rv;
-    if ((rv = fioGetInput(newname, &newParams)) < 0)
-        return rv;
-
     WaitSema(fioSema);
-    rv = apaRename(f->unit, &oldParams, &newParams);
+    rv = apaRename(f->unit, oldname, newname);
     SignalSema(fioSema);
 
     return rv;