How can you read an external hdd without the enclosure

[superjake]

Hello,
I have a 2t western digital hdd w/usb 2.0 and the usb port was broken off by one of the kids. I am trying to use a sata to usb cable but still can't recognize the drive. I really need to read this drive to get some pictures and things off it. My wife died last month, so it is really important I get this right.

 

[inzone]

If you take the drive out of the enclosure , you should have a regular hdd with sata connections that you can just plug in a sata cable to. It's the enclosure that converts the usb to sata interface so I would take the drive out and connect it to one of the sata ports on the motherboard and a sata power connector.

 

[inzone]

When you are doing this make sure the power is turned off and unplugged.