Grey lock when I hold option on startup

When I hold down Option on boot up, it loads to a grey screen with a dark grey padlock. Under that is a password entry field then a dark-grey circle with a right pointing arrow. I've tried every password I can think of but it does nothing. When I click enter the password just dissapears.
How do I fix this?
I wish to be able to select which disk I want to boot from when I hold down option.
Thanks in advance

Thanks Linc,
I managed to find another post by the user Don Archibald which solved the problem.
Here is a link to the article: How to Disable a Firmware Password in OS X 10.6 | eHow.com
Pretty much this will work if you are able to boot the HD and have a copy of Snow Leopard.
(I have OSX Lion and the SN disk worked for me).
Put in the disk, open terminal and type 'open /Volumes/Mac\ OS\ X\ Install\ DVD/Applications' then it will open to a folder then select 'Firmware Password Utility' which allows you to re-set the FW password.
Very handy!
Sorry, I'm new to this forum and didn't know how to close the question.
Thanks

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(91589)

Grey lock when I hold option on startup

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