I have checked with the Toshiba support site and the response is basically that, unlike the BIOS password which can be reset by all the methods you have tried, the HD password is directly encoded on the drive itself. This means that even switching the drive to another machine will not help. On the topic of forgotten passwords, the site is very emphatic:
"DANGER! The hard drive password is encoded the hard drive, not into the specific computer. Therefore, no matter what machine the password-protected hard drive is installed in the password will be required to access the hard drive until it is removed. If the hard drive password is lost or forgotten, it becomes an expensive paperweight.
EMPHASIZING AGAIN: IF THE HARD DISK PASSWORD IS FORGOTTEN THE DATA IS IRRETRIEVABLY LOST. NO ONE ON EARTH WILL BE ABLE TO DECODE THE DATA WITHOUT THE PASSWORD."
The page then gives instructions for setting the password, which involves two floppy disks - one for the Master and one for the User password - without which you cannot access the HD.
Basically this means that, unless your friend can give you the disks, you have now in your possession a modern coffee table ornament. If your 'friend' won't give you, or cannot find, the password disks, one alternative use for the HD is to beat him/her severely about the head until he/she coughs up for the replacement.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
