transer information (help please)

so my old fat ps3 died just a few weeks because a thunder, i guess it just messed up with all the system so the usb and inthernet cable ports are useless ... so here is the thing i just got my new 320gb slim and i was going to transfer all my info from the fat to the new one via internet cable... but since my fat ps3 does not recognize the cable to transer the info .. my friend gave mi his ps3 so i could change my HDD into his ps3 so i can transfer my data.. my question is.. if i put my HDD into his would the ps3 format automitcally so i lose all my information? or would his ps3 riun? or can i change my hard drive into his ps3 so i can transfer all the info to my new slim and change hard drives to their original system without losing any information?
( ok im sorry for my bad english and explanation but would really apretiate your help!)

You gotta use a PC to make a image backup and then copy it over, you cant just swap HDD's or the new PS3 will format it.