My laptop recently died. I would like to recover the information off the harddrive. How do I do it cheaply?

Is there cheap data cables that would work? Does the hd that is being drawn off need to be cooled during? Is there something else that is better?

Died - meaning a short that caused the fan and a few other bits inside to fry. I was told that it wouldn't be worth fixing but the hd should be intact.

assuming that the hard drive is still in working order you just need to buy a 2.5 inch HDD enclosure from a computer shop. Open up the laptop and take the HDD out... put it into the new enclosure and voila you have a removable hard drive.

Wat do u mean it died? if completely and it is impossible to fix I don't think cables will do, but make sure its not out of battery or go to the store and try to fix it. U can remove the harddrive, but thats probably expensive

if u can switch on ur laptop
get a windows PE boot cd and u can do it easily

This is what you need. Although this is an expensive one you may find one for 20-30 some where else on the net, just surf around.

this is the one I have an i paid 35 for mine but that was a while back.

Good luck!!

you should check out this site where you can get a sony vaio laptop for free