OK...
Well I got my hands on a new SATA HDD and restored the OS from the recovery DVDs. The HP seems tip-top apart from a broken display... Everything else works
So I've ordered a new LCD, it should arrive on Tuesday, and the super HP with 10h battery life should be 100% my Wednesday...
Much cheaper than buying a new notebook, and with the HP being a core 2 duo running XP Pro, all my obscure apps will run...
..What I thought was a write-off, is actually fixable after a bit of thought and research :-)
Update: The new LCD screen arrived overnight... I've fitted the new screen and now the HP is ALIVE again
..Now... Repairing rather than buying new has saved me about $600... That means I have $600 pocket money... What toys can I get now...??