Hello!
Bless your heart, Colin. Before you 'nuke it and start over', if you can, you might want to try this:
http://www.howtogeek.com/96630/how-to-re...-easy-way/
UPDATE: I tried the procedure in the link, and it DOES WORK. I haven't tried this on a PC with a hiberfil.sys file yet, but that shouldn't affect how this works, as you're not trying to read the registry under Linux. Will update this again if it turns out to be an issue.
Additionally, you will need to have an install DVD that matches the version of Windows (Home Premium, Professional) you have installed, or a Windows recovery CD created by the PC you are trying to access. To prevent future anguish, you may want to create one NOW, so you'll have it on hand when you need it.
I know this is Windows 7 we're dealing with here, but for Windows 8/8.1/10 users, let me throw this in, if you're trying to do this under Linux:
If you have not disabled hibernation beforehand with the powercfg command, Linux will NOT let you access what you need to change - which you probably already know, if you've tried accessing such a Windows drive from Linux itself.
Colin, you may also want to contact whatever agency you folks have over there to report cybercrimes to. In the US, it's the FBI:
http://www.ic3.gov
Not that this will help you personally, but it MIGHT get the scumbags one step closer to getting busted...
73 DE N4RPS
Rob