Dell motherboard is dead, how should I get data off HD?

[wolfman]

I had an older Dell Dimension 521, I think C521, the skinny tower, where the motherboard has fried. I need to get my wifes files and photos into her laptop. It doesn't make sense to replace this motherboard. Will these Dell HD's fit into any of my older non Dell towers? Could I put this HD into a cheap Dell computer off craigslist and then I still have a desktop? Or should I just invest $30 into one of those cables that connect to the HD, is it an IDE cable? Is there a specific type/make of cable that would work best? And if I buy a Dell to put the HD in, how do I know which ones will work?

[patio]

Since her PC is a laptop your most economical solution would be an external HDD caddy...
I'd suggest the ones with their own power adapter.
The unit connects via a USB port...your drive will show up as an external...and using Windows Explorer she can cop/move/burn to her hearts content...

Time to start thinking of a good backup strategy for all your PC's.
I use Acronis True Image ...Not free.
Macrium Reflect is the best Free alternative.

[Computer_Commando]

The C521 has one serial ATA (SATA) hard drive.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dimc521/en/SM_EN/index.htm

[patio]

Yeah, an external hard drive enclosure is the way to go. Just make sure you get the one with the correct connection (SATA vs. IDE) and for the proper size drive, which if it's a tower, is 3.5".

The good ones include every HDD adapter except SCSI...
And accomodate both HDD sizes.