Reading external hard drive

[drew55]

Hello,
I have inserted the old HD from my old HP computer, in a HD docking unit . Why cant I open programs up when Its attached to my IBM thinkpad laptop. I can read the contents and transfer pics .but cant open the microsoft works office and read all my docs . That was the reason to do this . Both old HD and laptop use XP

 

[rwpritchett]

You can't use programs that were installed on an old hard drive. You must install the program you are trying to use on your laptop.

To summarize: install microsoft works, microsoft office, or openoffice on your laptop. Now you will be able to open the docs that are located on your old hard drive.