My Recent Life in Three Panels
Yes, I can attest that failing HDs really do sound like Iliad describes.
Thank God for software like ERD Commander that manages to recover all sorts of data as long as the drive still spins up, no matter how fucked it is table-wise. So yes, I am now in possession of all my old data again, including 1.5 GB of pictures I took at various concerts throughout the last 2 1/2 years. So I'm one happy puppy. Oh, and I'm fully back online.
I'll post about the not-so-good news later. Oh, and I'll also get around to answer recent comments ;)