mike_s
Contributor
If it's a laptop computer drive, then it's a 2.5" disk drive. (99% of the time)
Sure you can slave it into another machine, but why not go one step easier.
Go back to CompUSA or other and buy a "External USB Drive kit for a 2.5" drive". It will cost you $15 to $25 bucks.
It should have complete instructions on how to mount the drive. Basically you plug in the cable (power and data are on one cable on 2.5" drives), mount it to the chassis (typically with screws, and put any lid/cover on it.
You then take the USB case with drive in it and plug it into any USB port on any other computer. Windows XP should automatically reconize it as an extra drive.
You can then 'drag and drop' any files you need to another computer, burn them to CD, etc.
This is the easiest and most portable way to get your data off that drive.
You now have your data. you can then decide if you want to return the laptop for service, which will most likely require replacing the motherboard. (yes typically those power connectors are mounted on the motherboard via solder).
Sure you can slave it into another machine, but why not go one step easier.
Go back to CompUSA or other and buy a "External USB Drive kit for a 2.5" drive". It will cost you $15 to $25 bucks.
It should have complete instructions on how to mount the drive. Basically you plug in the cable (power and data are on one cable on 2.5" drives), mount it to the chassis (typically with screws, and put any lid/cover on it.
You then take the USB case with drive in it and plug it into any USB port on any other computer. Windows XP should automatically reconize it as an extra drive.
You can then 'drag and drop' any files you need to another computer, burn them to CD, etc.
This is the easiest and most portable way to get your data off that drive.
You now have your data. you can then decide if you want to return the laptop for service, which will most likely require replacing the motherboard. (yes typically those power connectors are mounted on the motherboard via solder).