Restoring data from TABLESPACE files

Context:
     OSX LIon Server 10.7.5; system supplied PostgreSQL 9.0.5;
     user data on dedicated drive via TABLESPACE,
     i.e., keeping my stuff away from the OS data tables
     Backup via TimeMachine on hourly basis (i.e., file system backup)
     TODO: included determining a "better way" of backing up but
     delayed/inhibited by concerns that restoring pg_dump files would
     have to restore the OS defined tables which did not seem to
be the
     correct thing to do.

Scenario:
     Dedicated drive (Mac Mini Server 2x 500G: internal drive) failed,
     and computer returned to Apple for warranty repair.
     Another computer was reconfigured by restoring from
backups, and all files returned,
     Except I had trouble getting a suitable drive for the
TABLESPACE data (rural location).
     Once the TABLESPACE files were restored and the database
     stopped/started etc. they were not mounted/recognized by postgres.

Checked:
     entry in postres.db_tablespace.splocation column is correct
(note with approval 9.2 change)
     symlink is correct, i.e., same as above
     header folder: PG_9.0_201008051 present and populated
     Permissions correct and all files owned by _postgres:_postgres
     PgAdmin3 reports the TABLESPACE as being present, but none
of its defined roles or tables

Questions:
     1. What other entries do I need to check/adjust to get the
data files mounted?
     2. Is there a tool that can read the system files and
reconstruct the data they contain?
     3. Which commercial services offer data recovery in this context?

So far I have:
-   Taken on board all the on-line advice about a better backup system,
     thank you in advance if you feel the need to repeat any/all
of this, I
     have no basis for complaint;
-   Searched for strategies via Google and the mailing list
archives, and my
     impression is this is not going to be easy;
-   Found a passing mention of something like "Tom Lane's data reader
     unsure of name" but have been unable to locate this utility.
     Recasting Q2 above: Does it exist?
-   Started a 9.2 installation on the dedicated drive to house the
     restored/recreated data, which leads to a "good practice"
     supplementary question:
     Is there a convention for the second port number, e.g.,
6543 as per examples?

Thank you for your time.

Regards
Gavan Schneider