Hdd from old laptop

[nitelife2989]

hello,
i took the HDD out of my old laptop which ran windows 8 and put it into a HDD enclosure ( the screen went bad). i am trying to access the data on my new laptop that is running
windows 10. it is connected through a USB cable and the drive does spin. My new laptop is unable to even recognize that there is a external HDD attached.

[Geek-9pm]

In a few cases a drive might behave differently on another PC or on a a cheap generic USB adapter. (An USB adapter can be prone to noise pickup and the  power block  they come with it is very weak and can not spin the drive at full speed.)
 
Did the old laptop work with the bad screen?
In so, you could have used an external monitor with the old laptop. The enable file sharing and share the documents from the old use on the old laptop.

I think the problem is the USB adapter. (In case you ask.)

[nitelife2989]

The old laptop is gone and cannot be used anymore, was just hoping to salvage the DATA. The HDD enclosure is a Sabrent model no. EC-UASP. if that helps.

[BC_Programmer]

It looks like the enclosure doesn't have it's own power supply. That is likely the cause of your problem. A lot of these sorts of devices expect that they can draw whatever power they need from the Port, but that only works on some computers/laptops which don't strictly adhere to the USB standards- Otherwise, the limitation is 500mA until the device basically asks for more.

A workaround could be to use a powered USB Hub or find an appropriate "Y-Cable". less power will usually allow the drive to spin but it won't be able to really do anything else.

[Geek-9pm]

You might try connecting the old HDD to a desktop computer.
Many desktops still have the older IDE connector available, in case the laptop HDD was of the older type.
If the desktop only has two drive ports, unplug the DVD drive and use its cable to read the old HDD. Don't forget the power connector.
And yes, you knew to unplug the AC cord  first - Right?

Does the drive spin?

[nitelife2989]

I have tried hooking the HDD into my desktop (not through USB) but it has windows 7 where the HDD has windows 8 and cannot read it. and yes i unplugged it before changing anything.

I ordered a powered USB hub and will try that when it arrives.

[BC_Programmer]

but it has windows 7 where the HDD has windows 8 and cannot read it.

Windows 7 can read drives with Windows 8, 8.1, or 10 without issue. If you weren't able to read the drive it isn't due to the OS difference.

[Geek-9pm]

Here is an image of the typical USB external drive adapter:

These vary a lot when it comes to the power supply.

Also, a drive in storage for a long time may have a stuck motor.
The remedy for such is to get the drive very cold and then let it come up to room temperature. That can 'crack' the stuck that prevents the drive from coming up to speed. Works sometimes.

Anyway, buying a new external adapter is not expensive. about $20 or so.
Amazon has a cheap one for about $11.
Cheap $11 USB Hard drive adapter + PSU.
Might work. Or not.