Ok quick re-cap here
1) My ps3s power light wont come on, how am I supposed to back anything up like that.
2) Its not a Problem that I took the HD out because that is supported and documented by Sony, If not for 1) (refer to 1) then I could simply put it back in.
3) Any HD that can go in a PS3 can connect to any modern computer with a Sata bus. no special cables required.
4) Geohot gave up on trying to get the Encryption key from the CBE (or one of its SPU) to run unsigned code, the begins of a helo world.

Does anyone have anything to add to this thread that isnt FUD/Misinformation?

From what ive been reading People seem to think it (PS3 file system) may be some kind of ext3 with encryption

PS3 HDD Studio

Looks like with that it may be possible to decrypt your HDD and recover your pictures, Good news ! You will just have to put your old HDD in a computer, get that program and learn how to use it to decrypt hdd and extract your pics. Bad news , How good are you with computer? :P

On a side note if I read what it is capable of correctly I may be able to use it to decrypt my current HDD, extract my game saves and DLC and back them up on my PC.  Then when I get a new slim I can use my new slim HDD to encrypt my old HDD and data for the new slim.

Sucess! ... In theory

I'm not at home to check, but can you not just put the HD in and connect to a media share on your network and transfer files that way?

I know you can pull files off your meda share on your PC to your PS3, never tried going the other way, probably not even possible.

What about putting a USB key into the USB of the PS3? (Again never tried this) and seeing if it lets you copy the files to the stick?

^^ My above assumes you can put the drive in and launch the media bar.. I assume by "play" you mean play games.. if not, my ideas are pooched