Help with External HD

I've tried to search through the forums for answers, but didn't see anything with a specific answer.
My USB ports stopped working and I found out is was due to my motherboard going bad. My HD was removed and put in an external casing, but I can't get to some of my files due to security. I also can't figure out how to get my saved emails and itunes stuff. Can you just insert the old HD into another machine with the same specs or boot up using the external HD? Is that not my "whole" machine? UGH - I need help

Any suggestions anyone can offer up would be greatly appreciated!

 

colbrx2:

Correct me if I am wrong:

If you inserted the hard drive into another PC - the PC would need to have a operating system such as the one you used for the external hard drive.

Say your PC had XP Pro on it when your mother board went bad then you would need another PC with XP Pro then you could use the hard drive as a Slave on the 2nd PC or the other PC had a USB port on it then you should be able to access the files - unless they are encrpyted in some way and you forgot the password.

If you are unsure of how to install a Slave Drive in a PC then this web link might help:

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/install-hard-drive.htm