So my computer is messed up. If I want to transfer the files off of my existing harddrive on to my new harddrive what is the best method? I was planning on getting an external enclosure and doing it that way. I have never done this so what should I expect? Is it pretty simple just like a jump DRIVE or more in depth? Thanks for any help.The cheapest and probably easiest method method is to slave the existing hard drive if your system supports PATA (IDE) drives. If your drive is SATA then you may have a spare SATA connector on the motherboard.

It's also possible to connect a hard drive to a usb port using a special connector.

How you go depends on your hardware setup which you haven't mentioned.

Well I have a dell inspiron 1000 its like 4-5 years old. I has the regular 2.5 inch harddrive and runs XP. So I was just going to get the harddrive enclosure and do it that way. I DONT want to MESS with motherboard or anything like that. I am not that great with computers. I was thinking about getting a GATEWAY ML6720 with vista.How many files do you have to transfer? What about a USB flash drive? Or, burn your files to a CD and transfer them that way.Well see that is the problem. I took the computer to a shop and they said that the computer wasnt connecting to the harddrive. It was making all kinds of clicking noises and wouldnt boot up. So I dont know if the harddrive is FRIED or what. But it just happened in the middle of the night it didnt show any signs of crashing. So that is why I was just going to use the harddrive enclosure and do the usb thing.Well, it sounds like you have a failing hard drive, so why buy an external enclosure for it? You may get nothing from the drive.

And, if it will work long enough to retrieve some files from it, I'd get an Laptop 2.5" to Desktop 3.5" IDE Hard Drive Adapter, such as http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812119020 and connect it just long enough to get your files. This would not be a permanent installation, not even a normal physical mounting of the drive in your new computer. Just connect it to a power cable and IDE cable connector long enough to get the files.

But, I guess you may not want to do this, since it entails opening the new computer and making some connections inside. So, yeah, an enclosure may be the best way for you to see whether you can retrieve anything from the old laptop hard drive. Just don't be a bit surprised if you're not able get anything from it.Ya this computer has already fried a harddrive. So buying an enclosure for 10 bucks off of ebay wont be that big of a deal if it dont work.