SATA to USB adapter not working for my Macbook?

I removed the 2.5 inch Hitachi SATA hard drive from my fried Macbook and am trying to transfer the files to a different Macbook. I have the Sabrent USB 2.0 to SATA/IDE Hard Drive Adapter and have connected everything I needed to, but nothing happens on my Macbook. No signs of anything having been connected, although on the adapter, a solid light is on signaling that the adapter recognizes it is connected to something. What am I doing wrong?