cgsecurity.org

TestDisk does have an Undelete feature.
It might be possible to copy any files you find to another device. If they have the same name (old and new) you wil have to carefully check their timestamps. You will only find out if you actually run TestDisk.
Failing that you could run PhotoRec in the ...

Might be you can try IsoBuster

http://www.isobuster.com/download.php

It has some free functionality.

Install the download but before launching the programme make sure that your CD or DVD is already in the tray.

If it does not work it is possible that you have a harware problem.
If any of your ...

In Windows XP the Administrator account is invisible. If you have only one account in your Dad's PC, you are right,
it has got administrative rights, but it is not he Administrator account.
If you are connected to the Internet with this PC, disconnect it now.
For a quick test, try the Switch User ...

You mention using a driver to write files to the disk.You do not say which.
You do not mention having ever converted the HDD.
So in theory the HDD is still a Mac HDD. Windows does not have a clue about such a filesystem.
Probably thinks the disk does not have a partition? In any case not a Windows ...

Can you see the partitions with the Minitool Partition Wizard CD? It is possible to copy a whole partition to another HDD. Did you try reading the disk using a Live CD like Knoppix or a similar one? The Knoppix CD/DVD carries Gnu ddrescue, and you could clone your HDD with it. After that, you can ...

You can try:

sudo testdisk

If this does not work you could try becoming the Superuser (root). Better disconnect from the Internet and then type:

su -

After that just type:

testdisk


Best of luck

I do not use Mint, but might be you can type
sudo
the system should ask for the root password.
If it doesn't try:
su -

Once you become superuser, just type

photorec

Perhaps it would be better to run TestDisk or PhotoRec from a bootable CD/DVD.
Parted Magic, Knoppix, Ubuntu, or any distro of your ...

Your machine is trying to boot from a network.

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?2655-PXE-E61-Media-Test-Failure-check-cable

You will have to get into the BIOS configuration of the laptop.

How to get into your particular machine depends on BIOS brand, laptop manufacturer, etc ...

OK.
Might be you would like something to chew meanwhile help arrives:

http://h20565.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.BINARYPORTLET/public/kb/docDisplay/resource.process/?spf_p.tpst=kbDocDisplay_ws_BI&spf_p.rid_kbDocDisplay=docDisplayResURL&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&spf ...

You might like to check HomeBrew:

http://brew.sh/

Best of luck