Can you connect a desktop to your laptop to retieve files

So if you want to connect the laptop's hdd to your desktop, you can buy a 2.5" hdd enclosure. Just take out the hdd from the laptop, put it in this enclosure which will be connected through usb. This way you can access the hdd.

Or you can get one of those to run any existing harddrives  
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/category/categor...

if your laptop won't boot, then no.

but you can remove the HDD and place it in a 2.5" enclosure, or get a Sata-USB adapter. both fairly cheap, and will allow you to access the data on the HDD from your desktop.

that is, privding the HDD actually still works.