By using "External case" for harddrive you will be able always connect it to any USB port.
You will need also look to what rights is setup for you account, if you desktop is pesonalize so it can be problem to access it if it will be used from other computer.

But also you can use this tool http://www.nativecs.com/page.en.php?...n/aclview.desc
for removing rights for locked files.

Here is one link to one "External case" that I am also using by myself for backup
http://www.camerahobby.com/Digital_HardDriveCase.htm