This has been one of the most helpful PC troubleshooting tool purchases I've ever made: 2.5"/3.5"/5.25" SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter ($17.99) http://www.newegg.

This has been one of the most helpful PC troubleshooting tool purchases I've ever made: 2.5"/3.5"/5.25" SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter ($17.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232002 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812232... Also, I usually pull out the hard drive I'm worried about accidentally wiping and boot from a live CD.