LBP also changed to have save data in Game data, for some reason. You gotta go in the game to back it up.

ok that sounds like it should work at least, just need to find something big enough to use.

on another note... could i use a friends ps3 to use the data transfer utility using both my HDDs? Im not sure on this as i've heard that when you put a HDD in a PS3 it automatically formats it deleting anything on it, is this true?

you will lose any data you had on your hard drive if you put it into another ps3...it will automatically format the hard drive and wipe it off all your stuff.  you could simply copy your saves onto your stick and just deal with having to start over with the copy writed games if nothing else. 

Copy righted games are saved to the account, so he should be fine. Users are STILL saved to the PS3 even after you change, HDDs.

just thought id let anyone know who cares that i used the back up utility and it works a treat. transfers everything very easily including protected saves.

thanks to the people in this thread for their help.