Complications resolving forgotten administrator password...

Hi. I have an imac 10.5.8 which been in storage for a year or so. Unfortunately I have forgotten the administrator password. I have spent most of the day in forums but am still unable to resolve the issue. I would like to either use terminal to set up a new administrator account, or preferably to use the startup disc to reset my password.
I am not able to reboot in single user mode. I must have set up firmware protection when i got the imac years ago. (I cant fix this without the administrator password.)
...so I can't open terminal or the start up disc from the login screen.
I have tried opening terminal from the guest account (the only account I can get into) and using these instructions:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3506318
but terminal tells me that I do not have permission to do this.
I have tried numerous times to open the reset password application in the Utilities folder in the startup disc from within the guest account, but everytime it quits unexpectedly.
At a loss as to what to do. Would appreciate any help!
Thanks.

Maybe your are getting the firmware password? Do you see this image?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57521667-263/use-the-calculator-to-reveal-a -macs-firmware-password/
Remove one memory stick. Then do as BD suggests.
BDAqua reminds me:
Then, the PRAM must be reset 3 times. (Command + Option + p + r).
http://www.securemac.com/openfirmwarepasswordprotection.php

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http://theappleblog.com/2008/06/22/reset-os-x-password-without-an-os-x-cd/

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The best way is to reinstall Win 7. We can't help you with a lost password beyond that option.
You can, however, run Google search for a solution.
Please click the "Thumbs up + button" if I have helped you and click "Accept as Solution" if your problem is solved.
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Forgotten administrator password for imac how do I reset?

I have forgotten the password for teh administartor account on my imac. There are no other admin accounts set up.
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Welcome to Apple Support Communities
There are different ways of resetting your user password depending on the Mac OS X version you are running. Open  > About this Mac, and tell me which OS X version you are running.
If it's 10.6 or older, see "Resetting your original administrator account password" > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1274
If it's 10.7 or 10.8, reset the password using your Apple ID as stated in the link above. If it doesn't work, try to reset the password using Terminal > http://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4101

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http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipad-iphone/news/?newsid=3463233&olo=email
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Message was edited by: TNJim

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For Snow Leopard and earlier without installer DVD
    How to reset your Mac OS X password without an installer disc | MacYourself
    Reset OS X Password Without an OS X CD — Tech News and Analysis
    How To Create A New Administrator Account - Hack Mac

Complications resolving forgotten administrator password...

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