a long time ago in a far away galaxy...

i have a friend that used to play back in the day when you all you needed to log in was an email adress and password. and he cant get on ncsoft.com ether...

he wants to play again but doesnt want to rebuy everyting.... what should he do?

Use the Force... or buy a Droid?

On a serious note, if its a friend, then look in your screenshot folder or friendslist and see if any of those names are familiar.

If that does not help. Write a ticket to support and ask them fro a char name (Provide as much information as you can to prove that the account is yours).

a friend in real life not in the game

real life is for noobs

tell him to email anet and provide as much info as possible about the acc that's the only way he's getting his char name.

Tell him to look into his screenshot folder then.
Provided he still has access to the same computer as he had last time he played.

I had the same problem, I contacted support and they asked me to send a picture of the game box and CD key, and then they gave me back my account details and character name.
I had forgotten the e-mail and password as well... -.-

Anet will do nothing except give you a link to purchase the game