Are laptop hard drives interchangeable

[PtBetsie]

The ACER laptop we are working with does have a dead motherboard. The hard drive though should be working. To make things easier for us, is it possible to just remove the hard drive from the ACER and place it in a Dell we have on hand? Will the ACER software confuse the issue? Any help on doing the transition correctly would be appreciated. We don't need the OS but do need the files.

[PrntRhd]

The answer is yes, but the Windows installation is tied to the Acer, so you do not want to just dump it into a Dell and try to boot, you will just get loads of errors as the hardware is different.
It is better to get an external HDD kit, install the Acer HDD in it and connect to the Dell via USB. You should be able to get the files off. You can then format that drive and use the HDD as storage after the files are removed.
You only need to first determine if the Acer drive is SATA or IDE internal interface to get the proper enclosure.

[jlreich]

If you are not interested in an enclosure you can get an IDE/SATA to USB adapter. I have had this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812156102&cm_re=ide_to_usb_adapter-_-12-156-102-_-Product) for a couple years and it has come in handy on many occasions and it will attach to any IDE/SATA desktop or notebook hard drive. It's a must have tool for things like this. ;) :)