Backup of files questions

For years, I have only done backups by taking all of my files (docs, mp3s, email, bookmarks, pics, etc etc) and making CD Roms of them. I also would backup original files of any software that I dont have a hard copy of.
CDs are not holding enough now as my files are too many.
I have Windows XP home. I have heard there is and is not a backup utility with home. I certainly dont see one in my computer. (I used to use the one in 98)

I am looking for better recommendations for backing up files.
Should I just do as I do and use DVDs now that my laptop has a DVD writer?
Is there software that organizes this better and perhaps compresses and is that considered a safe and good idea? Or is that risky cause then you need that software to obtain the files when you need them?

Should I just buy a hard drive and back up to that? (seems like thats not as reliable long term)

Any input here would be very appreciated.

I am leaning towards doing what Ive done and switching to DVDs but I have yet to use any DVDRs for any purpose.

 

I actually do both. I use two DVD+RWs to back up my data and have a notebook hard drive in an external case. I reburn the RWs when I make a lot of changes. I suppose it depends on how much data you have. If you have a lot, maybe the hard drive would be the best solution.






I know things, things that could get me killed


Thinkpad T41:
* 1.6Ghz Pentium M * 768Mb Memory * 40Gb Hitachi 7200RPM * Panasonic UJ-845-B DVD+RW *

 

Backing up to an extenal hard drive might prove to ge a good solution if you are backing up alot. Myself, I don't like the idea of backing up to a cd or DVD because you can go through alot of disks that way.

I did find the article below that states, that though in XP Home the backup application is not present, it is included on the CD. You can install it directly from the XP home CD.

http://windows.about.com/od/shortcutsquickieshowto/l/aa020203a.htm

 

I use DVD's and an external HD. I back everything up on a large one touch HD. It's all in one place and easily accessible. However, HD's do fail and they are not immune to viruses and other bad stuff.

I store my pics, music, etc. on DVD's. I usually do so when there is enough stuff to max out a single DVD. I use DVD RW's or CD RW's for projects, which I am constantly adding to or changing. There does require some time and effort. However, it's well worth the time if your data is important to you.



Dell Inspiron 8600:
* 1.6 Ghz Pentium M * 1024 MB DDR SDRAM * 60 GB 7200 RPM HD * 15.4" WSXGA+ * Internal Bluetooth * Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 * 4x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) * ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo 128 MB * Win XP Pro SP2 *

* Apple 17" PowerBook G4 * 14" Toshiba Tecra 8000 * Apple 14" iBook G4 *

 

I've been using NTI Backup Now with XP Home. It worked great so far for me. It spans across several CD's if it needs to and has compression settings. Whenever I needed so far I could retrieve one single file or all of them without a problem.

The only thing is as you said, it needs the program to access the files. When I travel I backup on CD-RW's and once I'm home I also backup to external HD. If I need a file quick I use the ext. HD and should it crap out I still the the disks. It takes time to do all that but I don't want to loose my files.

Haven't checked into it yet if NTI supports the DVD burner.