How do you transfer files from a dead computer to an external hard drive?

How do you transfer files from a CD to an external USB drive on the computer?

• My CD drive stopped working and I need to install a new webcam onto my laptop. So basically thought I'd do the above - I'm going to use my mum's laptop to do it, but what do I actually need to do? After putting the CD and USB in, I guess I'd drag the CDs files onto the USB, but where and how...? sorry, I'm computer illiterate...

• Answer:

  Windows: place cd in the cd drive, if nothing pops up. go to my computer and click cd drive icon and locate the files and drag them to the desktop. then plug in the usb drive and again if nothing pops up. go to my computer click the usb drive icon and then drag the files from the cd onto the usb drive. Mac: place the cd in the cd drive, an icon should pop up on the desktop, click the icon, locate the files, drag it onto the desktop, then plug in the usb drive, an icon should pop up, click the icon and drag the files from the cd onto the usb drive. **REMEMBER TO DRAG THE ICONS FROM THE USB AND CD INTO THE TRASH BEFORE REMOVING CD AND USB**