Can I still backup my HD after s.m.a.r.t. failure?

I have an early 2009 iMac. A couple weeks ago it began to act very stuttery and slow and then would eventually freeze. I booted into safe mode and was told the HD had problems and needed to be repaired. I booted from the osX snow leopard install disc and repaired through disk utility. After this it seemed to working fine but eventually started to freeze again and then would no longer boot.
Again I booted up through the install disc but this time was given an error message similar to this:
This disk has a hardware problem that can't be repaired. Back up as much of the data as possible and replace the disk
and that I should take it in. I am not in front of this computer but can get the exact message once I am.
I also noticed at this time that the S.M.A.R.T. status at the bottom was saying failed.
When I tried to reboot from the HD it would just get stuck on the grey screen and would give me the bar you get when booting into safe mode.
After that it began to just shut off if I left it trying to boot and now the install disc is stuck in the computer. I have looked up some way to get the disc out so hopefully one of those will work. If not I may have another problem and question.
So here are my questions:
1. If I am able to get the install disc out would running DiskWarrior be able to fix this long enough for me to back up?
2. If not is there a way to back up my data when booting from an install disc?
I have two partitions on the drive and I am able to go into the partitions and see the names of the files but they are greyed out. I don't feel like it's completely shot so I am still hoping there is some way to retrieve the data.
I have looked at other posts regarding this but have not found an answer regarding backing up.
Thanks in advance for everyone's help

Apple has finally acknowledged a problem with Seagate drives installed in iMacs from 2009-2011. If your interal drive model number is ST31000528AS, you may be eligible for the replacement program:
http://www.apple.com/support/imac-harddrive/
Some suggestions:
First, check to see if your computer is covered under the hard drive replacement program by entering your serial number on the link above
Run the AHT test. If your iMac came with Snow Leopard, AHT is located on the CDs that are included with the iMac
If AHT indicates a drive failure, then contact Apple to make arrangements for a replacement drive
If you need still need to use your iMac and want to install OSX on an external drive, you can find detailed instructions at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
My iMac (27", 2.93 i7) has the ST31000528AS installed and it died after 18 months of service. I received the same error you received; I also ran the AHT tests, and it confirmed the drive failed. I was able to install OS X Lion on an external firewire drive as a work around and I did not loose any data as I have a multiple backup strategy in place (Time Machine backups on multiple drives and backups generated in Chronosync on multiple drives).

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Screen Size
13.3 inches
Screen Resolution
1280x800
Max Screen Resolution
1280x800 pixels
Processor
2.5 GHz Intel Core i5
RAM
4 GB DDR3
Hard Drive
500 GB HDD 5400 rpm
Graphics Coprocessor
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Chipset Brand
Intel
Card Description
Intel HD 4000
Graphics Card Ram Size
128 MB
Wireless Type
802.11 a/b/g/n
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2
Average Battery Life (in hours)
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Apple
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DDR3 SDRAM
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I was researching the issue you are having and recommend a couple of things. First it might be a good idea to reset the device following iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Turning off and on (restarting) and resetting found here http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1430
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http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1414
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http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5163
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Can I still backup my HD after s.m.a.r.t. failure?

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