PC stuck at Login screen

callistris

A friend of mine has asked me to look at their laptop as they've got an issue with it which they were unable to sort out.

The laptop has Win 10 installed.

Upon booting up the laptop a login screen appears, asking for a password. The password supplied to me by the owner does not work.

Here's a photo of the screen - https://www.dropbox.com/s/4lhu94mq34vx2ef/Photo%2013-10-2015%2C%2021%2018%2023.jpg?dl=0

I'm thinking that this is a Bios password screen?

If I'm correct what are my options with this?

From another friend I found out that the owner of the laptop had encountered one of these 'ransom scams' where it was demanded that they pay money to release the PC.
This money was not paid, and I'm not sure if the 2 are connected to each other.

If I enter a password incorrectly 3 times, I'm taken to a repair windows option screen. Any option I choose on this screen just causes the laptop to reboot and I get back to the password request screen.

I'm stuck here and would like to know if this is fixable or should my friends cut their losses and get a new laptop?

Fightsback

It's a syskey

http://www.eightforums.com/system-security/43049-windows-8-lock-out-after-microsoft-call-3.html

http://www.top-password.com/blog/how-to-reset-forgotten-syskey-startup-password-with-freeware/