Wait I'm confused - whats stopping you from doing this in windows? Do you already have an external? Typically before a total reformat (i.e. virus infected machines) I load up linux through a liveCD, plug in the external hard drive and move over any files that I want to save.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth