I really need help..now on 8th attempt. I have taken the battery out and tried, but instead of recognizing my number password with * it shows the letters.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

Unfortunately, there's nothing anyone can do to help you with this.
Without the correct password, your only option is to enter it wrongly two more times and allow the device to wipe itself. Your data will be erased.
Once the device resets, you can set a new password and restore the data from your most recent backup.

You will need the password. If you never had a password on the phone, ask him what he made the password. Otherwise, once you hit 10 unsuccessful attempts, it will wipe the device, meaning you will lose all your settings, email, calendar appointments, contacts, etc. Hopefully you have a recent backup.

My son attempted to get in, But failed. After entering the word blackberry, I entered my password which orginally was four numbers which now show as letters.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

Hold the ALT key while pressing the keys to switch from letters to numbers.

When you setup the password originally. Did you use the alt key? If not, you thought you were entering numbers, but were actually entering the corresponding letters.