PC HDD Troubles With Copying

[jhk4957]

My computer recently got a virus and destroyed my computer files so I can't access my files. Being the not very smart person I am, I didn't back up anything so I need to copy some core programs from my main HDD and then I am going to wipe it completely.
So to do this, I bought an Apricorn SATA wire so I could copy it but it didn't work. I went to support and they said I needed to connect it to a power supply but when I put the SATA wire in, it only leaves one slot in the HDD but I don't know what I have to put into it. Please can someone help me?

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, jhk4957.

Would you please be so kind as to post a picture or a link of the device, so that I can get a better idea of what you're talking about? If this SATA to USB adapter has an external power cable, you should plug it in an AC power socket on the wall. However if the device does not have a cable for external power, then it's probably designed for a 2.5" drive and not for a 3.5" one. 2.5" drives can be powered through the USB ports, but 3.5" drives need to be externally powered as the USB can't provide enough juice for them.

Hope that helps.
Boogieman_WD