Well, my HD basically failed last night. Just a few minutes after talking to Joe about all the unfinished maps I have and how I should back them up. Windows just crashes and I get a warning when I turn it on not to use it at all except to attempt backups. While now that I'm home I have access to the 2TB HD that I'm getting for Christmas, I want to maximize the amount of time I have to attempt backup. I was planning on putting Linux onto a memory stick and then booting from that, so as to not put undue stress on the HD by running off that. Also, it would help if my accessing my HD wasn't reliant on Windows functioning correctly. I just wanted to ask those who know more about this kind of thing than I do, does this sound like a good plan?
I just really want to back up my maps, the WAD files I have, my Minecraft save (I put too much work into my house to lose it) and a few other minor things. Not much, but I just don't know how much time I have until it fails for good.
Anyone have any better suggestions?