Wow, thanks for the advice. So you recommend I try:

1. TESTDISK and then
2. gpart

Now I'm not very experienced in linux so I was wondering if you could give me a bit more information on just what testdisk and gpart are and how I should go about running them. I want to make sure I do it right. If you could possibly direct me in the right direction I would be most grateful.

Thanks, Andrew

*EDIT* Haha, i can't believe it was so simple...just then during boot of knoppix a line I hadn't seen before appeared saying: checking for hard disk partitions...something something..... any way the points is the partions are visible now on the desktop and I can access my files....YAY.

Thank you all very much for your great help. Knoppix has been a lifesaver!