Cable for hard drive?

I have a "bunch" of hard drives that was my dads that i need to test or whatever to see if there is anything on them and if any of them work. without installing into my desktop computer is there a cable or something i could use to access its contents from my laptop?? I would need a specific name.... and if anything else is needed please let me know. Also is there a way to check RAM sticks.... he had about 40+ RAM sticks that I now have and need to test them if they work. Any and all help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Charity

 

For IDE hard drives: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189122

For SATA hard drives: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812156014

Combo thingy: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812150032

As for the RAM, the only way I know to test is with Memtest or a similar program in a computer.

E

 

There are external, stand alone RAM testers, but they are VERY expensive. Hopefully you have a motherboard with 4 RAM slots
Here's an external tester, it's about $3295.00 (plus shipping)
http://www.memorytesters.com/ramcheck/ramcheck_ddr2+1_tester.htm