My intuition tells me that you have answered my question a long time ago - I just don't know where to find the answer. I have a derelict Compaq Presario laptop and I want to salvage the hard drive, insert it in a HD holder and use it with a current computer. I don't have any info at all on what to expect if I start taking a screwdriver to the case. Can you point me in the right direction? Please.

K. Winch, December 2005

Hard drive is usually underneath the computer behind a panel which has a symbol like two semi-circles and a round circle like this o))
Remove the cross point screw to access the hard drive. They are easy to remove but fragile so don't press in the middle. You can buy cases for laptop hard drives to be able to connect to the USB ports of other computers. I have an old 20Gig in one that I bought off Ebay for about £12.

Dave, March 2006