I have inherited an old Macbook Pro. How do I update it? I have purchased software for my macbook, which died in a flood of coffee...thanks!

Need help all the way around with this. Not sure how to update this macbook -- it has an old administrator name and I don't have the password; when I download updates they open in MAIL and not sure why -- don't use MAIL. I have Office mac and updated OS software purchased for my macbook, currently drowned in coffee. What steps do I take to change admin names and then update?
Thanks so much!

BRLuna wrote:
Thanks, Allan. No, of course not -- just what is on the Cloud. This MBP is one my husband has been using -- so I just need to backup his files and then wipe? I don't have ANY discs for this -- just my Macbook -- can I use those DVD install/Disk Utility on the pro? Updated software I know I can....
Thank so much! Still crying...
You cannot use system DVDs from one Mac to another because they are machine specific.  Do you know which OS originally came w/this MBP?  See KB Article: 
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1159 Mac OS X versions (builds) for computers
========================
Clicky click--—> Erasing disks securely 
================
Start up from your install disc, go to Disk Utility and select the disk and click erase - to securely erase data click Security Options and Erase Free Space which will entirely wipe your disk, overwriting it with zeros so that no data is recoverable.
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH6817 Mac OS X 10.6: Restoring your computer’s software 
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH3840 OS X Lion: Restore your computer’s software

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