backing up computer that may be infected

Hello, and thanks in advance for your help

I'm writing because I recently had some computer trouble on my laptop and conducted a "Windows Restore" to two weeks ago. I suspect it is/was XP-Shield. Anyways, I finally got my computer to start up again using Safe Mode and want to back up all my files on my external hard drive, then wipe out my computer and reinstall windows to be sure. BUT - I am afraid that the virus might not be gone and I don't want to introduce it to my external hard drive by accident. Will backing up my files to my external hard drive transfer the virus to my external hard drive, and then back to my computer when I restore the files? I have no idea if this is even possible, but the darn thing has been a nightmare and I really don't want to deal with it again if I don't have to!

Thanks so much,
Emily

XP-Shield is a rogue, and at the moment, I don't think it's carrying the autorun worm varaint of TDSS. It should be safe to use the exteranl drive.

Thanks very much, I appreciate your help! I'll spread the word about your site, I had a great experience here.

Emily