PIN required after device restarts, how to do factory reset?

[InfernoJericho]

Long story short, when I restarted the phone I am greeted with the message "Pin required after device restarts"

I have no idea what the PIN code is so I can't use the phone at all

I have barely used the phone so the data is not important, I don't mind a factory reset

However the factory reset info I searched online doesn't work at all

I tried pressed the volume up and holding the power button, it just boots normally. Holding the down button doesn't work either. I just can't get to the recovery screen.

I tried using the Xperia Companion software to do a software repair/update.

It keeps saying the device is locked, and needs to be unlocked, and allow data access, which I cannot do at the moment

Anyone could shed some light of what I should do?

Many thanks

[RottenFoxBreath]

Recovery mode does work, and the device is supposed to be off, when connecting to do a reset.

But it sounds to me, if you "can't remember", what the pin code is, is that it's either not your phone, it's a stolen phone, or you've bought it from someone who still has an account on it, and it's their pin you don't know.

A code you would have set, that you would have used, but now can't remember...I don't buy it.

Either way, I guess you aren't getting it working any time soon.