It depends on what password we are talking about: Windows, Hard Disk, or one of the two possible motherboard passwords.
In the case of the former if you take the laptop to a local computer shop with ID and proof of owenership they will be able to help you.
Hard disk passwords are not crackable and so the hard disk is scrap. (AS it was designed to be if stolen.)
There are two types of motherboard password, resettable and not. If the former the user manual will tell you how. If the latter (for example in the case of an IBM ThinkPad) the motherboard will need to be replaced.
T
November 2012