And another update:
Today, my friend took the old external hdd out of its box and plugged it into my computer as if it were an internal hdd...and it worked!!!!! Obviously, I'm
thrilled but a bit miffed about the £80 to NOT get all my data back when they blatantly could have done! SnashenRaschenFraschen! Ahhh well, the world has not ended and life has moved on...and I've just spend another £35 on DIY gear...so much for breaking even this month!x