Locked out from an old PC?

my mother in law passed away about 6 months. My sister in law just gave me her pc but it is locked. from cold boot i hit f8 and nothing. I've even hit del but it takes me to a 3 chance password - still nothing. in the password it uses 7 digits. crl-alt del restarts and that is it - help. we belive my mother in law has important files, pics, and emails we would like to have not to mention - pass this old system to my daughter for old times sake.

can anything be done besides swapping hard drives?

sincerely,

Manny
hwcollectn@aol.com