Day before yesterday, my Acer was hit by a lightning strike, completely disabling it. Insurance is $500 deductable with depreciation, so it isn't worth filing. However I had lots of info on there that I find valuable. Fortunately, I use Carbonite backup, so I have the info. My problem is that I'm just not certain I can download it to my older PC that has a smaller HDD. Won't the registry be messed up if I do a complete restore? Also, can I use the laptop HDD in the PC? How is that done? Thanks in advance!

You can only get the data off the old hard drive, you shouldn't import the registry and other settings. It won't work.

You can buy an external USB to 2.5" IDE case and converter cable from eBay, about $15.
Plug laptop hard rive into this aluminum case, and it connects to the usb port of any PC, or other laptop.