I have a weekly routine, my Seagate external backs up my whole PC for me every Sunday at 4 PM.

Got this link in my daily C/Net newsletter on backing up.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4660-10165_7...ml?tag=nl.e404

It is important keep a current backup, especialy if one needs to format their PC due to a problem.

 

I just split my hard drives up, I have a 160, 250 and 300gb and split all of them up into 60, 80 or 100gb partition.

Then install all your goodies into a program files folder on one of these bad boys and make sure you save all your files to anyone except the partition with windows.

1. I can reinstall windows and not lose any data.
2. Upon reformat/reinstall all I have to do is install my programs I want.
3. It is possible (I am still working on it) to make whats called a slipstream windows disc.

This disc installs not only windows but all your programs into specified areas with your settings. It is a complicated thing to make thats why I havent finished it, it works the same like a disc that would come with say a store bought pc.

On top of saving all my data to another partition I scan it weekly for virus/spyware. I also make a monthly backup where I manually copy all files onto another partition for backup again.

I have never lost any data since I been doing it this way, Coreys way works as well but uses an external drive.