Since you say it's an
old laptop, it probably has an IDE (PATA) 2.5" disk. You can look at this image (I found one of the many images on the web of this type of connector here):
http://www.bixmart.com/assets/images/la ... nector.jpgYour disk's connections may look
slightly different as it is common for laptops to have a small adapter on the disk's connectors, to match with the connector in the laptop itself. However hopefully this image will help to confirm that it is a 44-pin IDE (PATA) connector on the drive.
If you give the specific disk make & model (or Google it), then again, that will tell you what type of interface that disk has.
It's still possible to get USB bridges for 2.5" IDE disks, if that is confirmed as the interface type of your disk

As always, use sensible anti-static and mechanical shock protection, when handling any disk.