How do I back up the computer with no Finder

Hi All,
I have a iBook G4 with the specification given below. I need to back up the hard drive so that I can reinstall the OS from the install disk. I have a 520GB hard drive connected via the USB. The issue is that I need to back it up and reinstall it because I can't see the finder. This was a solution the Mac genius gave me.
I read about install the OS on the hard drive and then backing it up. But it seems like there has to be a better way to do it.
Could someone please tell me or point me in the right direction?
Thanks

Hey Prit and Welcome to Apple Discussions,
The issue is that I need to back it up and reinstall it because I can't see the finder.
So it boots but you can't see the upper menu bar? Can you open your browser? Can you see the external? If so you could run Carbon Copy Cloner:
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/13260#feedback
and clone to your external then do your reinstall. You could try an archive and install but don't do that before you have backed up your information.
Richard

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