Motherboard kaput, but can someone advise how to retrieve info from HD?

[bakanaotoko]

Hi all,

My year old Laptop`s MB went kaput on me last year (The day I arrived in Japan for a stay of a year - how`s that for luck?)
Anyhow, I`m back now and as it seems that MBs for the model are no longer available, I`d like to get rid of it for spares, but obviously wish to retrieve/wipe my personal info from the HD.

I`ve tried putting feelers out at my uni, but no joy.

Anybody have any ideas how I can get around this without having to find someone with the same Laptop (Nigh on impossible I would guess...)

You`d think in this day and age that HD designers would do something sensible like add a USB port to the HD incase the worst ever happened... I guess that`s too simple (or am I being naive?)

Anyway, The model is a compaq X1140 series, but as it`s dead, I don`t suppose the specs are too relevant, I just need ideas on how to crack into that HD.

Many Thanks!