HDD dead no back up or disc drive, have external HDD but can't back up?

Hello,
Computer in question is mac book pro late 2008.
So I've been looking since 10 this morning to sort this out and i just can't seem to find a way round this??
I have had the disk utility on trying new image and can't get that to work. Ive been running easeUS data recovery wizard but i think it will only let me move 2GB over before i have to pay. I feel as if there is a free way out there to get this done I've just not found it yet.
Im running yosemite from my HDD now as i can't get my other one to work. I have use to another mac book pro but its not mine.
Many Thanks!

If the HDD in question is inoperative but data recovery software will allow you to salvage some/all of the data, you Will have to pay if you want that data.  I know of no free software for data recovery.  Backups eliminate that problem.
Have you tried Target disk mode?
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1661
This will not help if the HDD data cannot be accessed.
Ciao.

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