Windows 7: Cannot access drive

Good evening. Here is my situation: I have an HP Pavillio Slimline s7410n PC. About a weekago my wife was using the computer, doing whatever during a storm. I shut down the computer and unplugged it from the surge protector. The next day I started it up and would cycle through until it got to just before the Windows start-up screen. Then it was restart. So after multiple attempts of trying my limited knowledge I figured I could purchase a external case, and recover all the data from the Slimline's HD. I installed the HD into the case and connected it to my laptop. The Pnp popped up displaying the Recovery drive and my option to open it. Then the Slimline's local disk popped up and said the disk needed to be formatted in order to be read.
After messing around I put the HD back into the Slimline tower and used the Recovery disks to attempt to find and correct the problem. Using the recovery disks, or accessing the recovery portion of the HD did not correct the problem.
I spoke to a buddy of mine who recommended I try utilizing some programs. I found Ubuntu. I was able to access information about the HD using the utility tools in that program however I am still unable to access the drive and recover my data.
The drive does have a password on it, but that is the Windows logon password.
Anyone, please can you possibly assist me in troubleshooting my problem?
I have been searching all over the net looking for something that could help me correct this problem.
The HD is a Western Digital WD2500JS.

Thank you everyone

Kenny

Kenny

It may be as easy as a corrupt Master boot record, or a partiton problem. You are going to need some third party apps to help recover the date.

There are quite a few. First I would start with recuva (its free and does a decent job), if that doesnt do it Power data recovery.

Let us kno if you need assistance with those

Ken

How do I create a Master Boot Record? Like my name states, I dont know that much about computers but enough to get me

Im taking your advice and I am currently using Recuva....wow it is a sllllooooow process but hey if it works, then thank you! I spoke to a Geek Squad Rep today and he said I could keep it in the external case, plug it in and right click on the drive, go to properties, then advanced, and change it from owner to admin...only problem is that there was no advance tab when I right clicked it. Attached is a screen shot of what is displayed. If you can think of anything else, I am all ears! Thank you again for your assistance!

Kenny

You dont, the OS does to keep track of where data is kept. Like an index it is just there for the computers use.



Ken

Ok, I appreciate that. Like I said, I not totally spun up on some of the "internal operations" of computers. Thanks again!