Linux to the rescue (and request for help)

[Travis Roy]

> You are his hero, and so is Linux, if you're able to recover ANY
> of his data.  (Congratulations!)

Yup, he's very happy :) 

Check out his website at <plug>www.sidceaserfineart.com</plug>. 
 
> Personally, I would treat that "-590295810358704317216" line as a
> partially-burned-through O-ring, an "opportunity" to stop fixing
> things.  (An opportunity to NOT take further risks.)

Yah, I was able to squeeze enough space to move the data off the drive and
recreate the partition and format it.