How to add hd from dead laptop to new laptop as 2nd hd?

Is it possible to remove a laptop hd on a dead laptop running XP pro and install it on a new laptop (if there is an available slot) running Vista Home Prem as a 2nd hd? I’d like to be able to use MS Office and other s/w on dead laptop on the new laptop w/out paying for the apps all over again? If the 2nd hd is set as a slave, will it be possible to boot the apps on it?

TIA!
RD