How to connect desktop HDD to laptop?

I have a old desktop PC which is no longer functioning, and a laptop with Win7.
Is it possible, to copy/extract all the data on the desktop's HDD to laptop or an external HDD?
I have tried repairing the desktop, but couldn't.

Have a look at this cheap method of doing what you want.

USB to IDE & SATA Cable Kit USBNow.co.uk

Just remove the old hard drive and connect to your laptop with this cable kit and you should then be able to transfer the data.