1. That's a lot of damage for just seven hours... Take a breath... Take several... And then provide whatever you can for the following points (don't stress over it - just provide what you can).
2. Backup. Is there "data" on either hard drive that you "need" to save before proceeding. Do not "write" to either hard drive until you get the data off.
3. Which computer:
a. If brand name, make and model name/number of computer (information from service tag is good: model, product number, service tag identification).
b. If custom build, make and model number of motherboard.
4. Hard Drive(s).
a. The one you hope the operating system is on (Lazarus II):
(1) Manufacturer and model number of drive
(2) Interface, if known (IDE PATA or SATA)
(3) Total drive capacity (GB), if known or available off drive label.
(4) Which operating system and service pack level, e.g. Windows XP Home Edition SP3?
b. Drive you wish to use for data backup:
(1) Manufacturer and model number of drive
(2) Interface, if known (IDE PATA or SATA)
(3) Total drive capacity (GB), if known or available off drive label.
(4) What system did it come out of (Windows, Linux, Mac)?
(5) Was there an operating system on it? If so, which version and service pack level?
5. Resource(s):
a. What recovery disks? What do the external labels say?
b. Recovery/Restore partition on hard drive?
c. Windows XP Install CD (OEM or Retail)?
d. Available "external" hard drive enclosure of correct internal interface (IDE PATA or SATA).
e. Do you know how to "write" a bootable "iso" image to CD-R?