Unable to Boot from OSX -- Get Strange Schematic

Hello -
A friend forgot her password on her iBook. Using this forum, we found out that she can access and change the password by booting from the OSX disk (Tiger) and opening the "Utilities" on the installer. So we inserted the disk and restarted the iBook, holding down the "C" key. To our surprise, instead of getting the usual install screen, we got what looked like a schematic of a mouse, from which we could not exit. The only thing we could do was to reboot from the hard disk. This happened numerous times. Has anyone seen this before, and does anyone have any advice? Thanks for your help.
Shelly
P.S.: Holding down the "Option" key at restart got us nowhere, as you are prompted to enter the password before proceeding.
iBook 800 Mac OS X (10.4.5)
iBook 800    

Hi, Shelly.
You wrote: "P.S.: Holding down the "Option" key at restart got us nowhere, as you are prompted to enter the password before proceeding."While holding the "C" key is the correct way to startup from a CD, your description implies she enabled Open Firmware password protection on her Mac. See "Setting up firmware password protection in Mac OS X 10.1 or later". If you're seeing the same screen as the screen shot within that article, that may explain the problems you are having.
There are instructions at the end of that article re: disabling the open firmware password, but they require the password. Since she doesn't know the Admin password, she's stuck in a "Catch 22" if she's enabled Open Firmware protection.
I suggest you have her take the iBook to an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
• If there is an Apple Retail Store in your area, I'd recommend taking it there. You may wish to call ahead to make an appointment at the Genius Bar.
• If not, try the "Find a reseller" search here to see if there's an Apple Authorized Service Provider in your area.
There are ways of removing Open Firmware password protection without having the password, but I'm reluctant to post them here as the same info would also be useful to someone who stole a Mac.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

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