Computer Help Needed...

If things REALLY go to 'ell and you just need to save data off the hard drive, (and I know you are broke) either buy or try'n find someone with one of these:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Adapter-Converter-Optical-External/dp/B002OV1VJW"]Amazon.com: SATA/PATA/IDE Drive to USB 2.0 Adapter Converter Cable for 2.5 / 3.5 Inch Hard Drive / 5 inch Optical Drive with External AC Power Adapter: Computers & Accessories[/ame]

Handy as can be. The fit older IDE drives, and the newer SATA drives. You hook the old hard drive to the device, hook the USB to a "good" computer, and you can browse and find files on the old drive.

If you have a desktop with a similar drive connection, (IE both machines are SATA, or maybe has options for BOTH IDE or SATA) you can actually dig into your desktop, and hook your laptop drive directly to the second 'puter