Afriend asked me to have a look at her laptop where she had forgotten her log-on password and I'm stuck.
She had the bios password but the bios doesn't seem to be able to work or do anything

help any suggestions to fix this

Is this the windows password? If so, which version of windows?

Try logging on in safe mode usually f8 on boot up and see if it will let you remove the password

Plenty of linux based password reset tools available, a quick google should find you one, create a bootable USB and following the instructions to reset or remove the password.

Dead easy with Linux:

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/tr-dojo/reset-windows-passwords-with-the-help-of-linux/

If its windows 10 start up the pc.
Then choose shut down as you normally do.
As it shuts down hold the Shift key.
This will allow you to use the F6 key or similar to bing up the start up options.

Windows 10 enables fast start so it seems quicker.

What's the operating system?
If a BIOS password is forgotten, you can remove the CMOS battery for a while and your BIOS password will gone.

Just came across this tip on reset windows password with install disk:
http://www.top-password.com/blog/reset-windows-10-password-with-sticky-keys/

Hope this will also help!
It's appreciated if you could give a reply when your problem is solved.