Question for th IT crowd

[Redneck Rocket]

Alright chaps, ladies.

So my hard drive went 'ping' the other day and I had to have it replaced. Unfortunately because I am a grade A tt I did not have every thing I needed backed up. The place that swapped the drive for me said that it was the motor that turns the drive that had packed up so it should be recoverable with the right equipment (ie - something that can spin up the drive manually and get the info off). The told me they knew a firm that did it but suspected it would cost £300-400.

I've got half a mind to take a wander down Tottenham Court road and see if someone will do it on the cheap for cash. Any suggestions?

Cheers