external HD question.

well, my older G4 Powerbook is being rather tempermental and not wanting to turn on, etc.. i think it needs another new battery.

now, my question is.. if i buy an external HD, can I transfer ALL my stuff (pictures, photoshop files, MP3s) onto the external HD and when I buy myself a new computer.. transfer it all back onto it?

something like this for just the time being.

http://www.compusa.com/products/pro...uct_code=338076&Pn=Essential_250GB_Hard_Drive

Yes you can use a cloning program to make an image of your hard drive to compress or just boot with it:http://mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32771&highlight=external+hard+drive+copy
http://mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34389&highlight=external+hard+drive+copy

thank you.

will "superduper!" also allow me to transfer folders on my desktop over to the external hard drive?

if the computer does have to be reformated, how would I go about bringing all the items back onto my computer?

according to their website, SmartUpdate and other features should do that fine. It even has a free trial.