How can I back up files onto an external if my hard disk can't be verified?

Hi all,
My Macbook Pro (2010) hangs up at the grey startup screen. The icon keeps spinning. I believe this may be because the laptop ran out of power during critical software updates. I have been able to reach disk utility by starting up with the original installation cd and holding 'c'. When I verify the disk, I get an error:
"The volume could not be verified completely.
Error: The disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk."
When I click repair disk, I get the following message:
"Verify and Repair volume "disk0s2"
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume
Invalid node structure
The volume could not be verified completely.
Volume repair complete.
Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.
Error: Disk Utility can't repair this disk.. disk, and restore your backed-up files."
My hard drive isn't fully backed up and I would like to retrieve as many files as possible before reformatting the hard drive.
I have heard of being able to access the hard drive through other means (connecting the drive to another computer and/or another external) and being able to salvage files. What is the best recommendation for this?
Should I get Diskwarrior?
similar issue: http://www.megaleecher.net/Fix_Invalid_Node_Structure#axzz3L3IfWSbf

OK. You need to repartition your drive, I'm afraid, assuming the drive is OK. You have an installer DVD in the optical drive bay so do this:
Booting From An OS X Installer Disc
1. Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
  2. Restart the computer.
  3. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
  4. Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple
      logo appears.
  5. Wait for installer to finish loading.
Drive Partition and Format
1. Boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button.  When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area.  If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing.  SMART info will not be reported  on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Apply button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
7. Upon completion quit Disk Utility and return to the installer. Proceed to install Snow Leopard.
After installing and booting from Snow Leopard you should update it by downloading and instalingl the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1. If you wish to you can now upgrade to Lion or later from the App Store.

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