Put, or get someone to put, the hard disk in an external drive case.
Something like this: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/119509
(Check it's suitable first, of course)
Connect via USB to another PC and you'll be able to access the drive.
Assuming your old PC is FUBAR'd and is going to the big recycling site in thesky, keep the old hard disk in it's enclosure and use it to MAKE REGULAR BACKUPS
Did that help?
John
March 2008