thats a good option Rik, as far as the HD goes, no the HD isn't beyond repair most of the time. you can usually slide it back in as a "slave" drive and repair it with norton or a program of that nature, then take it back out and use it again as a "Master" speaking of "master/Slave" what kind of a crock of shit is it that thecity of LA thinks because one person doesn't like the term that it should change an industry. only in California... (no offense ment of course to those living there...)