Kind of urgent tech problem... help?

[BordomBeThyName]

OK, so I'd like to start off by addressing this common stereotype that us robotics people are smart (IE: know how to read). I am currently "breaking the mold" on that one...

I have an IBM thinkpad with a 16v power connector, and a Maxtor 500Gb external hard drive with a 12v power connector that's exactly the same size. Sooo... I was setting up my system and kinda sorta maybe switched the cables around. The maxtor was running for an hour (and a half?) and it started to smell like it was burning, and it turned itself off. Sooo... I did the usual troubleshooting, unplugged it, plugged it in, listened to it (no hdd spinning) and plugged and unplugged it a few more times. Then I looked under the desk, saw the switched cables, let out a little whimper, and swapped them. Now all the hard drive does is flash it's power light (fairly quickly) when I plug it in.

So I thought to myself "Man, I wish I was a part of a large technically minded community... oh... right..."

So, my question is: is all my data screwed? should I just wait a while and try again later? any advice? please? anyone?

-Matt

P.S. There was no release of magic smoke, so it presumably hasn't "fried" in the traditional sense.