Admin password changed - can't boot from CD

I'm the sole user of my iBook, and the administrator password USED to be the same as my user login password. I have no idea what happened, but now it won't accept the admin password (it still accepts it as my user password), so I can't install new software or updates. I also can't boot from the install CD using the 'C' key - nothing happens, it just boots from the HD. In fact, I can't boot into any different mode by pressing a key at startup. I'm going crazy, I have no idea what happened or how to fix it. It's something that's happened since 5/20/06, because I installed 'dashcode' on that date. I also installed the 5/18 security update.
Does anybody know what might have caused this, or how I fix it? Thanks.

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
Have you tried to boot with the Startup Manager instead?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106178
Are you making sure to only boot a CD that came with your machine or newer?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25517

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