Was Getting Windows 7 Worth It?

Hey, during the week of Christmas, my laptop broke down..
Apparently the hardrive got eff'ed up and so I had to get it fixed..
To get it fixed? About $150 by my dad's friend..

And so, today, almost a month later I get it back, and I have Windows 7!
However, I was like, wait, new hardrive? Where's my stuff!?

All gone.
Every. Single. Thing.
From Pictures (tons from MS) to Documents (HW and Projects) to Installations and Downloads (Also MS) and Favorites..

Kinda depressed right now, I was wondering if there's any brightside to this?
I really need to find a good thing about this situation or im gonna cry :nohart:

Thanks =/

~Moping Matt