Using HDD with an OS as a normal External?

[misachaos]

Soo I have a 750gb hdd from my desktop that i accidently killed the heatsink. so it wont start.
I wanted to know if its possible if i can pop in the hdd into my hot swappable shell and access the files i had to move them
to another external i have.

I just dont want to try anything before knowing its possible.

.-. (is too cautious)

[bloody000]

Put it in an enclosure/dock and use as external hard drive? Yes you can. You may even be able to boot from it.

[Natheria]

You might have to change BIOS settings if you boot from an external port but you can do it.

Is your OS on this HDD?

[misachaos]

You might have to change BIOS settings if you boot from an external port but you can do it.

Is your OS on this HDD?

My winXP SP2 OS is on the hdd. it was to the desktop i owned. Just afraid if i load it i might not be able to access user account files.
to transfer so i can wipe the drive.

[Takeshi]

You might have to change BIOS settings if you boot from an external port but you can do it.

Is your OS on this HDD?

My winXP SP2 OS is on the hdd. it was to the desktop i owned. Just afraid if i load it i might not be able to access user account files.
to transfer so i can wipe the drive.

I don't see why you shouldn't be able to access it.

If I assume, "my hot swappable shell" is a external harddrive shell which is able to "host" a harddrive which you then can connect to the new computer you have, then you should be able. Don't know if it makes a difference, but for convenience's sake, plug the USB cabel after you've loaded your OS.