HD Failure and related issues

My main (and non-boot) drive failed on me, while still under warrenty.

160g SATA II WD Caviar 7200se (wd1600yd) crashed, and is failing S.M.A.R.T.

My computer is no longer detecting it at all. I was in a pinch, and needed a new HD asap, so i bought another hd at the big box store while WD ships me a new one, since it is under warrenty.

I have two issues now...

1.) I have a small 20g HD as my boot drive, containing JUST xp pro and a/v and other safety related software, so ALL my other progs and data were on the Sata disk, that is now un-operable. Is there a way I can recover ANY of that data, and transfer it, hopefully, onto the replacement HD?

2.) XP still thinks that I have all those programs installed onto my computer. For example, since my acrobat reader was on the sata drive (which doesn't exist anymore), I cannot read pdf files !!!NOR re-install Acrobat reader, because XP says it's already installed!!!, I am having similar issues with other not so major programs.

Anyone have an idea how i can fix either (or hopefully both) problems?

Teh Nozzle

 

firstly try the connections, dis- and re connect.

 

I have tried the connects, I swapped out the SATA cable, changed power connections, changed connection to the MB, no dice.

Nozz

 

[bump]

Anyone have an idea how I can fix my windows to NOT think the programs, that were once installed, are no longer installed?

Nozzle