Recover Firmware Password on Macbook Pro 2009

Hi

I recently bought a 13'' Macbook Pro 2009 from a friend. After a few weeks I noticed some features weren't working and new it was running on an old OSX 10.6 something? So I purchased Lion from the app store and began to download and install it. After installation, the computer now gets stuck on a white screen with the apple logo and a loading swirly icon thingy.. (as you can tell I'm no technical mastermind)

I've tried to go into the boot screen to remedy this but it keeps asking for a firmware password which I dont have, and my friend says he doesn't remember as he set it all up 6 years ago..

Is there any way around this or is it kaput for the poor tired ol' macbook?