Boot while holding the OPTION key doesn't work.

This is really dumb.  I was thinking today my passwords were too weak, so I set out to put Keychains to use.  First thing I did was reset my login password - but then changed my mind and reset it again.  Didn't write any of this down and now I can't correctly type in an admin password. 
SO I searched and found how to boot into the "Recovery Partition" by restarting while holding the OPTION key.  This worked!  I used the resetpassword in Terminal - and successfully reset the ROOT administrator password.  I figured that was me.  And my advisor (article I found on-line) didn't mention NOT to.
I still need to reset my admin user password, but now when I try to do the Recovery Partition trick my display remains blank.  I can tell it's powered up, but no progress bar or apple logo...  One further clue is that if I give up and let go of the OPTION key (because nothing at all is happening) five minutes pass (not 20 seconds or so like the time it worked) and the computer starts up as usual.  No "OS X Utilities" window, just the everyday wallpaper and file folders.
So that's my situation.  Many thanks in advance.
I should mention, I'm using a mac Pro and the latest version of Yosemite.  And a hardwired keyboard and mouse...

Is the key(s) stuck, or sticky or not very responsive?
try another keyboard, any usb keyboard for windows or another mac should work.
try flipping your keyboard over and letting it bang on the desktop, your r key could be gunked up and the contact might have failed. Depending on the model keyboard liquid or food or something else could be trapped, the older bondi-plastic ones do this more than the aluminum-plastic ones but the key could need a good smacking,.

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