I am new to this forum, I am trying to figure out how to access files from an old computer. When the old computer crashed it would'nt boot, from dos a bunch of white text would scroll down quickly and stop and windows would not load up. I am not sure if it was a virus or not. Is it unsafe to slave the hard drive to the new computer? any advice would be appreciated.

There should be no problem in just accessing data.

You won't be able to run any programs or applications (which you wouldn't want to do anyway) but as far as accessing data there should be no problem.

I would have your current Anti-Virus scan the folders before opening it but that's just an extra precaution. This scanning option is usually available via right clicking the file.