computer guys help me get files off old HDD

[nico]

My old laptop bit the dust a couple months ago (won't even boot).  I bought an eSATA cord, thinking that was all I needed since my new laptop is supposed to provide power over the eSATA port.  Well, it didn't work.  Without spending the money on a new enclosure, how can I get the files I need/want off the old HDD.  Is there a standalone power cord I can get for the old HDD?

[mtnbkr]

An enclosure is probably cheaper.  I've seen them for as little as $10 at places like Microcenter, Newegg, etc.

Are you sure the drive itself is good?

Chris

[RocketMan]

Nico, get one of these from Newegg.com.  It plugs directly into a laptop hard drive, SATA or PATA, and connects to another computer via USB.   It can power a PATA IDE drive directly from the USB port on the computer.  There is an adapter cable and power supply for SATA drives and larger format 3.5 inch hard drives.
These little things work like a champ, and they are cheap.

[Nick1911]

Nico, get one of these from Newegg.com.  It plugs directly into a laptop hard drive, SATA or PATA, and connects to another computer via USB.   It can power a PATA IDE drive directly from the USB port on the computer.  There is an adapter cable and power supply for SATA drives and larger format 3.5 inch hard drives.
These little things work like a champ, and they are cheap.

I agree.  I love PATA/SATA to USB dongles.  I got my most recent one (with SATA support) for $10 at Microcenter.

[RocketMan]

Heckuva buy, there Nick.  I need to check Microcenter out more thoroughly.

[mtnbkr]

Nico, get one of these from Newegg.com.  It plugs directly into a laptop hard drive, SATA or PATA, and connects to another computer via USB.   It can power a PATA IDE drive directly from the USB port on the computer.  There is an adapter cable and power supply for SATA drives and larger format 3.5 inch hard drives.
These little things work like a champ, and they are cheap.

Two cheaper options:
PATA drives: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0264555
SATA drives: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0315458

Buy them both for less than the device from Newegg.

Chris

[nico]

Thanks for the tips guys.  I actually found an esata enclosure at tiger direct for $25.  I'll have to see if microcenter has anything similar. Im willing to pay a few bucks more for the faster transfer rate of esata but those usb enclosures are awfully cheap. Esata would make it easier to use the drive for backing up things like pictures.

Im pretty sure the hdd is good. The comp is just over 4 years old but i replaced the hdd a couple months ago. I was getting BSODs and hardware errors (that pointed to the motherboard) for a few weeks before it finally died