Backing up when iMac is already down

Maybe I've already answered my question but I'm looking for a vote of confidence:
I want to back up my iMac before fixing a "blank gray screen" issue (the screen has an Apple Logo and perma-spin). I intend to fix the issue by reinstalling OS X from an install disk, but the instructions from applesupport are to back up first.
The files that are important to me are documents, pictures, movies, and music, all in the typical folders. As for applications, I don't have any additional software except for iLife and Office. The solution I'm thinking to do is just copy all files from the Documents, Music, Pictures and Movies folders. Does that make sense?
I don't usually back up (gasp!). I don't have back-up software, but do have at my disposal a USB external HD and an old iBook to use as an altnerative operating tool. I did a transfer boot ("T") so that I can see my iMac HD on my iBook. I can hook up my external HD to my iBook, too. The external HD is already partitioned as a "iMac Mirror" and an additional volume. With everything connected, I can start copying files.
Does this seem like the right course to back up important files in this special case? Could someone point me to software that I could use to become a better backer upper?
Best regards,
Joe

*Hi Joe, Welcome* to Apple's Users Help Users Forums.
Here's SD and More:
http://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html
Purchase at $27.95 will allow smart backups that look at the bu files and only move over new ones. It's quick at ~7 mins to change ~1 gig out of 20.
Be sure to test that the clone boots and apps behave properly.
Here are other popular cloners.
http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
http://www.prosoftengineering.com/products/drivegeniusinfo.php?PHPSESSID=909c070fb2e13b35097fa9cc1340bfc0
Good Luck, JP

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