How do I get files off of a hard drive from a dead PC, without buying a new PC?

Question

I have an IDE hard drive with a few files and photographs that are sentimental to my wife and I. I'm looking for a way to connect the drive to my laptop, which has USB and PCMCIA connections, and rescue them! Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

I second the idea of an enclosure.

Answer 2

HIre a computer tech.

Answer 3

Get and external IDE usb drive enclosure

Answer 4

Or you can hook it up to another computer and copy the files from there onto their HD temporarily until you get a new HD. I did that with over 32 GB of games and Documents. =)

Answer 5

Ok, can you tell me why you think the computer is dead, is the power supply? that is replaceable, is the mother board?  can you give me a description of what the computer did, just prior to your thinking it was dead.   No, there is no way you can attach the hard drive to a usb connection into the lap top, and the PCMCIA connection is a wireless connection, which would contain a wireless card that is used to access the internet.  Other alternative, take the computer to best buy, ask them to remove the hard drive and access the information of of it and place on disk, or flash drive.   Give me a bit more info before you throw your computer away.. Chances are it is your power supply, can be replaced in about 10 minutes and your computer will be up and going again.  If by chance you have a burned out hard drive, everything is lost.....