How do I get files off an old laptop (HiTech XP) hard drive?

Question

I asked this question before but I need further feedback. Here is the original:

I had a laptop a long time ago that had wine spilled on it and it turned itself off (obviously), i recently was told i could get the hard drive out of it and hook it up to my PC (which was also on XP) and then retrieve the files.

I opened up the PC but the connecting wires didn't fit this hard drive.

I am not a technofobe but neither am I qualified in anything IT related. I would be grateful if anyone could give me a step by step, easy to follow (for those who know nothing about computers) guide on how to get the files.

Do I need a peice of hardware to connect the old motherboard to a new laptop? Can I do it from that to my new Windows 7 laptop?

In case it helps, here's the info off the hard drive:

Hitachi
Model: HTS424040M9AT00
4200RPM
SV 1.0A DC 40GB ATA/IDE
Nov 06

I don't know how much of this is helpful but there are more numbers!

P/N: 0A25590
MLC: DA1091
(16383CYL. 16 heads. 63SEC/T)

I hope someone will be able to help and point me in the right direction. Thank you very much in advance.

It was then suggested to me that I get an ATA to USB but when I looked online, I found references to SATA's and PATA's.  Is one of these okay?  Are they the same?

If you could post a link to what I'm looking for that would be most helpful. Thank you.

ebox1349 · Accepted Answer

the laptop PATA (IDE) drive and PC drive are different physical sizes as well as having different pin counts$0 pins for the PC, only 34 for the laptop). If they are SATA then these are the same plug size but just a different physical size and all you will need is a standard SATA data cable and a power connection to your drive from the PSU.
IDE and PATA are the same thing, for what ever reason they decided to rename IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) to PATA (Parallel ATA as opposed to Serial ATA).
You can not connect the old motherboard to your new laptop
What you need is an external drive enclosure, and if buying online then you want a 2.5" IDE (PATA) one and this should work. This will connect to both the PC and your new laptop via a USB port so is fairly universal and you can then use the old drive as a back up or mobile storage.
If buying from a shop then simply take in the old HD and ask, "have you got an external drive enclosure to fit this". You only need the enclosure not one with a drive already in it.

Bon Gart · Answer

To further detail what you need...

You supplied the type of hard drive in the information you copied off it.  You have an IDE or PATA hard drive.  They mean the same thing.  So now, you need to purchase something like this http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/dynamode-usb-hd-2-5si-1-2-5-external-hard-drive-enclosure-03701173-pdt.html which is a 2.5" enclosure that will connect to an IDE laptop drive.  This will turn your old laptop drive into a portable external hard drive that you can plug into any computer that has a USB port.  You can then not only get your old files off it, but you can eventually erase all the files that are on it, and use it to store music or movies or whatever you want.

You don't have to go to Curry's.  You don't have to purchase that EXACT product.  You should get an 2.5" drive enclosure made for IDE laptop drives.  The one I linked to just happens to be one.

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How do I get files off an old laptop (HiTech XP) hard drive?

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