just a thought..I really hate to see anyone lose that much time and effort. If you were going to make a commercial product out of this, I'd seriously consider sending the drive to a data-recovery service. Sure it's an arm and a leg, but what is the time value of what you've done so far?
Unless the mechanics are completely shot (i.e., the cylinders wouldn't turn at all), they can be recoverd. I've been in the Computer repair business for 19 years, and I've seen everyone have this problem sooner or later (it's how I found out that laying a floppy physically on a Hard drive would render it a coaster in no time..;) Heck, I've even see tape drives corrupt server backups. So don't feel bad about that part.
Give it a rest, take some time for other things, then go back to it. I think you'll find that the 2nd go-round will go a lot faster, since you've solved most of the logic programs, etc.
I've seen you have a lot of passion and enthusiasm about this program over the years, and I've been one of those waitign to see what the fuss was all about. Hope this isn't the last we hear of Pro-render. 'Sides, I want to see the look on..'nuff said..;)

I wish I'd said that.. The Staircase Wit

anahl nathrak uth vas betude doth yel dyenvey..;)