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#11
You can get a USB SATA HDD enclosure for about £20-30 (that translates to about US$50 but I don't know if they actually are that much over there. If you are very lucky you may be able to get the data like that, however, if the drive isn't running on any SATA ports, and its definitely not a port issue, (and the chances of all SATA ports dying are very very low) probably not. You may be able to get professional recovery... but in fairness, it depends on the value of the data
As for Windows, no you shouldn't have to. On the side of your machine you should have a sticker with a product key, if you input that into Windows then it will accept it (assuming your machine came with Windows 7 preinstalled). If you have a retail edition of 7 then just use the product key on the box. Just make sure you use the right level of Windows (Home Premium, Ultimate etc.)
If you don't have installation media, but do have the product key, let us know, we can help with that.
Just as an aside, as I said the chances of all ports dying are ridiculously low, however if this has happened, then you won't be able to use any HDD on the machine, which means its as good as dead. I honestly can't believe this has happened, but I'm just giving you all the scenarios here.