I have a USB 2.0 WD external hard drive that has been damaged so that both the A/C adapter and the USB cable connection do not show as connected (lights) when inserted. Windows XP on the desktop does not recognize any new hardware to be installed with the USB cable attached. It's possible the unit has been dropped.

I'd like to transfer the data to another WD USB 2.0 Ext. HD. Is that possible under the circumstances. How would that be done? Thanks very much.

Remove the hard drive from the external enclosure, and install it like a 2nd hard drive on your PC.