Getting data off broken computer

Hello,

I have an old laptop, a Dell Inspiron 1300 that crashed over a year ago. Basically the screen went bust, you couldn't see anything, i think they said the backing light was broken. I took it to a repair shop but they told me I'd need a new screen and for the amount it would cost, I'd be better off buying a new one. This didn't suprise me as I'd bought a cheep laptop.

My problem is now the laptop won't even switch on, I think it needs a new adaptor, and I've still got a lot of stuff I want to get off the hard drive and put on my new computer. My brother says there is something you can buy where you can just take things off the hard drive, I'm assuming you have to disassemble the laptop to do it.

Does anyone know what you'd have to use to get off data from the hard-drive, or if it's even possible if the laptop won't switch on (and even when it does you can't see anything) any advice people have would be really, really helpful!

thanks
Imogen