Hard drive adaptor

Your laptop HDD uses a newer connection type called SATA. The one you are used to using is called IDE. They do make adapters to go from one to the other but they are hard to find and not very reliable (sometimes just dont work).

You can find a 2.5" (laptop size) hard drive enclosure for SATA to USB at almost any electronics store.

Double check your motherboard (on your desktop if thats what you are using to read the drive) for SATA connectors on it. Many computers have been using SATA almost as a standard since about 2004-2005, but some may not still have it.

The reason for the new type of connection is faster data transfer speeds.

To look at the differences, click the link below:
http://jekkilekki.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/sata-ide-laptop-hard-drive.jpg