I think my friend has tried to get the password but not successfully
I do not think he has the password because the btc has been in the wallet a long time there are a lot of btc in it if he really really just want 0.5 btc he will face the possibility somebody break the password and take all the btc
He can easily have a lot of money and no reason to face the chance of losing a lot of money
That is why I think he really do not have the password since in so many years some will get it with the development of technology