My late husband's PC is pin-locked and I can't get in

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phoxphyre

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#267902 17-Feb-2020 13:55

Hi guys, I would love some help.

My husband was killed in a crash two weeks ago, and I'm devastated.

I'm trying to pick up the pieces, and would like to get all his data/pictures.

His Samsung A70 was partially destroyed in the crash, and his Win10 PC is pin-locked. I don't know the pin, and it requires a microsoft authenticator app to reset. I don't have access to his email.

Do you have any suggestions about how I might get his PC unlocked? Or a store who would do it? I'd prefer to get into his PC so I can use his Chrome store and (PLEASE, PLEASE!) use his password store to get into his email.

Any recommendations about phone repair places also gratefully received.

Thanks in advance.

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#2422447 17-Feb-2020 14:34

Hi,

My sincere condolences. My suggestion is to take the PC into a computer shop and they should be able to plug the hard drive into another PC and copy files off.

Nick.

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trig42

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#2422452 17-Feb-2020 14:45

How awful for you. Condolences.

As for the above, it will only work if Bitlocker isn't turned on.

My advice would be to see if the phone can be repaired, and so long as you can get into the phone, the MS Authenticator App should work.

But, yeah, take it to a PC shop, see if they can't get in. Not sure if Microsoft can reset his PIN (assuming it was an online account, and not a local PC one).

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#2422453 17-Feb-2020 14:48

I am sorry to read this. The suggestion above is good - providing the Windows 10 storage is not encrypted with Windows Bitlocker.

Also, it won't give you access to his browser - only files.

Even though the PC is using a PIN you can still try login using a password if know it - on the login screen you can click the icons below the name to switch between PIN and password login.

An alternative is using a boot disc to manually create a new Administrator on this machine, then use this to change the account type. You can see the instructions here.

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Dugimodo

168 posts

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#2422454 17-Feb-2020 14:49

Unfortunately this is not the sort of question that can be answered on a public forum. While your situation may warrant breaking into your Husbands PC posting how to do it would most likely break the forum rules (didn't check) and could potentially assist someone with illegal activities.

The Best option is to seek professional help from a local PC repair shop.

Best of luck.

1024kb

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#2422470 17-Feb-2020 14:54

Hi, I'm sorry for your loss. I'll try to help you out on this job, free of charge.

Where are you? If you're close-ish to me, I'll do the job in person. If not, I'll send you the tools (USB drive) to do it yourself. It's not a difficult task, 10mins max.

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Lias

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#2422498 17-Feb-2020 15:12

As per above, I'm happy to help if you are in the vicinity, I'm located in Kapiti.

*edit* in another thread OP says they are in the Waikato, but that's a decade ago so could be out of date.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

KrazyKid

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#2422524 17-Feb-2020 15:33

Sad News. So sorry.

Another suggestion is if your husband used a separate Work PC at another location he may have Chrome Synced on that PC. Access to that could get you into the chrome browser and settings options to allow you to retrieve passwords etc.

mudguard

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#2422528 17-Feb-2020 15:39

I'm sorry that this has happened to you.

This is a really tricky situation, and one I'm constantly explaining to my about to retire parents. Mum doesn't do any of the banking, I've no idea if any of their accounts are joint or not, they can get into each other's phones, and the laptop and iPad however.

All I know from previous jobs at finance companies, is we do not give anyone details who isn't identified as the account owner, unless they have power of attorney. The reason being (aside from legal requirements) we had one colleague give address details out to an account holder's ex, who promptly went round to the new address and beat them within an inch of their life.

I think about it from another perspective, if something were to happen to me, what would happen to the thousands of photos I have in Flickr and Google? Well they are my photos, so I don't want them shared. I have shared albums for those who were interested.

Hopefully there is some resolution for you though. These things are never easy, I had to deal with a women when I worked at a bank who had no access to the bank accounts as they were only in her deceased husband's name.

1024kb

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#2422548 17-Feb-2020 16:05

I’m in the Waikato, this will be quick, easy & free, if you choose to take up my offer.

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phantomdb

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#2422619 17-Feb-2020 16:49

phoxphyre:

Hi guys, I would love some help.

His Samsung A70 was partially destroyed in the crash, and his Win10 PC is pin-locked. I don't know the pin, and it requires a microsoft authenticator app to reset. I don't have access to his email.

Having spent many years in security, people pick numbers relevant to them, Birthdays, Anniversary's, sporting dates( year we won the rugby world cup) an educated guess is always worth a good go. you may find those keys worn (Usually is a good starting place) is it the same as an alarm code, last four digits of cell number, an old car license plate.

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blackjack17

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#2422634 17-Feb-2020 17:12

phantomdb:

phoxphyre:

Hi guys, I would love some help.

His Samsung A70 was partially destroyed in the crash, and his Win10 PC is pin-locked. I don't know the pin, and it requires a microsoft authenticator app to reset. I don't have access to his email.

Having spent many years in security, people pick numbers relevant to them, Birthdays, Anniversary's, sporting dates( year we won the rugby world cup) an educated guess is always worth a good go. you may find those keys worn (Usually is a good starting place) is it the same as an alarm code, last four digits of cell number, an old car license plate.

Could also try his pin for credit card/eftpos

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ANglEAUT

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#2422674 17-Feb-2020 18:43

Lias: As per above, I'm happy to help if you are in the vicinity, I'm located in Kapiti. ...

Help available in Auckland as well. PM me.

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

MadEngineer

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#2422679 17-Feb-2020 18:57

+1, Palmy.

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deadlyllama

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#2422714 17-Feb-2020 20:00

If he has got passwords in Chrome and was using Gmail you can log into chrome on another device. To reset the Gmail/google password you could extract the SIM card from his broken phone and put it in a working phone, then you can read any password reset SMSes. Make sure his phone number stays active.

Gurezaemon

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#2422773 17-Feb-2020 22:00

ANglEAUT:

Lias: As per above, I'm happy to help if you are in the vicinity, I'm located in Kapiti. ...

Help available in Auckland as well. PM me.

Ditto on the off-chance you're anywhere near Whangarei.

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