G4 - Open Firmware password/Can't zap PRAM!! Help please!

[drico]

I bought a used G4 and I did a complete format on it. I put my OS X cd in for a clean install and all I see is the grey screen with the and the ? icon flashing.. I hit the option key and it shows a padlock prompting me for a password. When I go to the open firmware screen, it's in "command security" so I can't do anything without the password. I can't even 'zap' the PRAM using the CMD+Opt+P+R combo. I don't hear any chimes. I have 512MB internal RAM on the mobo, and a 512MB stick. I tried to remove the stick and zap the PRAM that way but no dice. I've tried everything it seems.

This is a perfectly good iBook, except of course the fact that I suddenly can't use it. Can anyone offer a working solution???

 

[Soulwar]

Features of Open Firmware Password Protection

When turned on using one of the PowerPC-based models listed above, Open Firmware Password Protection:

• Blocks the ability to use the "C" key to start up from an optical disc.
• Blocks the ability to use the "N" key to start up from a NetBoot server.
• Blocks the ability to use the "T" key to start up in Target Disk Mode (on computers that offer this feature).
• Blocks the ability to start up in Verbose mode by pressing the Command-V key combination during startup.
• Block the ability to start up a system in Single-user mode by pressing the Command-S key combination during startup.
• Blocks a reset of Parameter RAM (PRAM) by pressing the Command-Option-P-R key combination during startup.
• Requires the password to use the Startup Manager, accessed by pressing the Option key during startup (see below).
• Requires the password to enter commands after starting up in Open Firmware, which is done by pressing the Command-Option-O-F key combination during startup.
• Blocks the ability to start up in Safe Boot mode by pressing the Shift key during startup.

Not very helpful, but informative.