2005 Mac mini busted. Tips on how to recover data?

[Malingenie]

First things first:
Not my Mac mini, it's the GF's... I believe in backing up data!

Basically the mini in question stopped working for unknown reasons (could very well be a busted HD). removed the hard drive and am willing to try using an external enclosure to hopefully get her pictures back.
It is an 40gb seagate ST940110A HD, 2.5 inch of course, and ATA. The gf bought a new Mini and i hope to connect to that one to transfer data.

What enclosure should i buy??
Alternatively, what else would you do to save your gfs last 7 years of pictures?

Thanks so much in advance,
me

 

[Fishrrman]

You don't need to buy an "enclosure".

You could get one of these instead:
http://www.amazon.com/sabrent-Converter-Supply-Activity-USB-DSC5/dp/B000HJ99DI
Note: there are numerous other "dongles" available, this was just the "top hit"when I did a google search. To see more, try searching for "ata to usb dongle".

It can accomodate both "parallel ATA" and "serial ATA" (SATA) type drives.

Get something like this, and see if the drive will mount on your desktop first.

If it does, have _another_ drive (or flashdrive, or something) availble to do a copy of your friend's files immediately. I'd grab her entire home folder, and whatever other folders were designated for personal file storage...

 

[Malingenie]

You don't need to buy an "enclosure".

You could get one of these instead:
http://www.amazon.com/sabrent-Converter-Supply-Activity-USB-DSC5/dp/B000HJ99DI
Note: there are numerous other "dongles" available, this was just the "top hit"when I did a google search. To see more, try searching for "ata to usb dongle".

It can accomodate both "parallel ATA" and "serial ATA" (SATA) type drives.

Get something like this, and see if the drive will mount on your desktop first.

If it does, have _another_ drive (or flashdrive, or something) availble to do a copy of your friend's files immediately. I'd grab her entire home folder, and whatever other folders were designated for personal file storage...

Excellent! This looks like it would work with the old ATA specs. Thanks much!