I recently acquired a rootkit on my laptop while roaming around the internet. This particular rootkit has disabled my ability to go online. I have downloaded several rootkit detectors(using my gf's computer)and some seem to find it, some don't. Given that these programs are not very user friendly and are designed for IT professionals, I have come to the conclusion that I'm not skilled enough to remove it/nor restore my network capabilities.

So I have decided to wipe my computer clean and start from scratch, but I would like to save my pictures and music from my computer. Can I transfer only my music and picture folders to an external hard drive without also transferring the virus? I know its impossible to know definitively without viewing the hard drive and its files, but is it possible to reasonably assume that this particular rootkit has left these folders untouched? That I can transfer them and have no worry about infecting my external.

Also, these files have not been backed up yet, my external hard drive is more of a "hypothetical" hard drive than a real one at this point. I know, I know, this is why you are suppose to back up, but I didn't.
Thanks. -Scott

Have you tried Sophos AntiRootikit - Give a try, can't hurt

This is safe to download, it is My Upload
http://rapidshare.com/files/245420336/Sophos_AntiRootkit_1.3.1.exe

As your music and photos are in audio and image formats, there should not be any issue of transferring anything to the ext drive

UNLESS it is an Autorun type of virus which (most of time) transfer to your ext drive on connection.