Update
Great news in that I found a guy here who used to own a computer repair shop and is giving my old harddrive a long hard look. He has told me that he is going to mount the old harddrive inside my tower and we will use it as an additional drive (F drive if I remember correctly). Much easier access to the data on it and that he is of the opinion that we will be able to retrieve most of the deleted pictures! He is like most of us in that he also has a regular job, but thinks that he can get most of the pix restored within a couple of weeks of fooling around with it.
I will try to post as much of the info that he relates to me on how he did it as best as I can. Gotta remember that I know about as much about computers as I do about Merlin engines...nice to look at and listen to and that is about it
From reading all of the info that you guys have posted and the PMs sent to me, I still find it awesome that you guys are so willing to help out dummies like me! I am humbled and appreciative far more than I can express!!!