Dropper Powerbook - odd behavior

[ldichiara]

Hello - I dropped my Powerbook G4 1.67mHz Laptop lastnight; when I tried to reboot it I got the grey apple screen. After 2 attempts I got the computer to boot; all the files are there and things "seem" ok...the drive is NOT clicking but there is some whirring going on; not 100% sure if this is different than from before. I have run TechTool Pro on the drive; everything appears to be functioning correctly. As a precautionary measure, I am attempting to pull and back up ALL of my files I have on the laptop. What I have encountered is that my files and folders and all of my quickkey commands on a desktop level are not working. The keyboard is functioning; if I go into email, things type fine...I cannot rename folders or files. Any thoughts? Is this related to my drop do you think? I have also reset permissions - have to reboot the machine to check (still running diagnostics) but so far it is still behaving the same.
Any recommendations? IF I need to replace the drive, is this something fairly easy to do? What is the best way to install a bootable system on an external drive in the event I need to access the machine if the current drive craps out?

Thanks for your help!

Lenny DiChiara