Could A Clean Installation of Windows 7 Reformat My Por

I am hoping very much that someone can help me out of a catastrophic situation that I find myself in after having done a clean installation of Windows 7.
The situation is that I used my 500 GB Fugitsu HandyDrive to store the Windows Easy Transfer file and now neither of my two computers will recognise the HandyDrive - they just keep saying “new hardware found - looking for drivers” but don’t find any.
This is devastating as it is (or was!) almost ¾ full of months of hard work - some backed up some not (my fault of course).
I have been using the HandyDrive to work between my 18” and 10” laptops both of which had Vista.
I have the Acer Windows 7 Upgrade Kit for the 18” laptop and after 4 failed upgrade attempts and one failed clean installation, I tried one last clean installation which at last was successful. Each time I ran the Upgrade Advisor and carried out the recommendations. The Handydrive was shown as “USB Mass Storage Device” and shown as being Compatible with Windows 7.
I saved the Windows Easy Transfer file on the Handydrive.
After the successful installation of Windows 7, I carried out the Easy Transfer but was dismayed to find I had very few programs now (I had thought they would be on the Upgrade disc but cant find them). I took the Handydrive out of 18” (now with Windows 7) and plugged it into 10” with Vista so that I could print the Upgrade Advisor file I had saved, which showed the programs I had before clean install. Disaster - it wouldn’t work!
I have written to Fugitsu to see if they can help but in the meantime can anyone on this forum tell me what I’ve done! I will be devastated if I cant recover the data on the HandyDrive.
Also how do I get the programs I am missing
I do hope someone can help me. Thanks in advance!

Apparently you can't transfer programs only program settings - you will have to reinstall the programs - if you have't got them on a cd you can download them from the internet - just type their name in one of the search providers eg. google or bing and hit enter - hope the following maybe of help I copied out of the help and support in W7RC.

Transfer files and settings from another computer
[This content is preliminary and subject to change.]
Windows Easy Transfer is a step-by-step guide for transferring files and settings from one computer running Windows to another. It helps you choose what to move to your new computer, such as user accounts, Internet favorites, and e‑mail. It also lets you decide which method to use and then performs the transfer.

To open Windows Easy Transfer
Click to open Windows Easy Transfer. * If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
To open Windows Easy Transfer Reports
You can view your Transfer Reports any time after your transfer is complete.
Click the Start button .
In the search box, type Easy Transfer Reports, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Easy Transfer Reports. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Windows Easy Transfer helps you move your many files, folders, and program settings from one computer to another—all in one process.
Using Windows Easy Transfer, you can choose to move:
user accounts
documents
music
pictures
e–mail
Internet favorites
program settings
When the transfer is done, Windows Easy Transfer Reports shows you what was transferred and provides a list of programs you might want to install on your new computer, as well as links to other programs you might want to download. When you've finished moving your files and settings to your new computer with Windows Easy Transfer, your new computer will have your familiar files, folders, and program settings—and that makes getting back to work much easier.
Notes
You can only open Windows Easy Transfer if you're using an administrator account.
You can view your Transfer Reports any time after your transfer is complete.

What can I transfer to my new computer?
You can transfer most files and program settings. Specifically:
Files and folders. Everything within the Documents, Music, Pictures, and Shared Documents folders. Using advanced options, you can select additional files and folders to transfer from other locations.
E‑mail settings, contacts, and messages.
Program settings. Settings that keep your programs configured as you had them on your old computer. Windows Easy Transfer doesn't transfer the programs themselves. Some programs might not work in this version of Windows, including security programs, antivirus programs, firewall programs (your new computer should already have a firewall running to help ensure safety during the transfer), and programs with software drivers.
User accounts and settings. Desktop backgrounds, network connections, screen savers, fonts, Start menu options, taskbar options, folders, specific files, network printers and drives, and accessibility options.
Internet settings and favorites. Internet connection settings, favorites, and cookies.
Music. Electronic music files, playlists, and album art.
Pictures and video. Pictures—which includes any visual file type (for example, .jpg, .bmp, .gif)—and personal videos.

Can I transfer programs?
No. Windows Easy Transfer transfers only program settings, not the programs themselves. To use the programs from your old computer, install them on your new computer, and then transfer files and settings for those programs. It's possible that some kinds of programs, such as security and antivirus programs, might not work with this version of Windows.

Which transfer method should I use?
There are several choices. Be sure to choose a method that works on both computers. For example, if your computer isn't connected to your network, you can't use a network to transfer files and settings to your new computer.

Easy Transfer Cable
What you'll need: An Easy Transfer Cable and a USB port on each computer.
The Easy Transfer Cable is a specially designed USB cable that connects two computers and works with Windows Easy Transfer to transfer information between the computers. It's one of the easiest ways to transfer files and settings to your new computer. You should always start Windows Easy Transfer on your new computer and plug in the Easy Transfer cable only when you're instructed to do so. Before you plug in the cable on your old computer, be sure to insert the CD that came with it to install the Windows Easy Transfer software and continue the transfer process.
Where to get one: If you didn't buy an Easy Transfer Cable with your computer, you can order one on the web from your computer manufacturer, or get one at an electronics store.
Note
A standard USB cable cannot be used to transfer files and settings between computers.

Network
What you'll need: A network with both computers connected to it and the ability to access the same network folders or locations.
Make sure that both computers are connected to the same network. Start Windows Easy Transfer on your new computer (the computer that you want to transfer your files and settings to), and then follow the instructions. The Windows Easy Transfer key acts like a password to help protect files and settings when you transfer them over the network.

USB flash drive or external hard disk
What you'll need: A USB flash drive (this requires a USB port on each computer) or an external hard disk compatible with both computers.
Start Windows Easy Transfer on your new computer (the computer you want to transfer files and settings to), and then follow the instructions for using a USB flash drive or an external hard disk. During the transfer process, Windows Easy Transfer will estimate how much disk space is needed to transfer your selections. If you use a USB flash drive, use one with enough storage space for the entire transfer.

You might have a permission problem with drives :
Control Panel - Administrative Tools - ComputerManagement - Disk Management :
Right click on the drive in disk management, or computer folder - properties - security - advanced - owner - edit - then change owner to yourself.