One of the first decisions you'll need to make is whether you want to perform image backups or file by file backups.  If you choose image backups, two good software choices are Symantec Norton Ghost 15 and Acronis True Image 2012.  Another image backup software choice is Macrium Reflect, which is free.  Next you'll need to decide what hardware you'll use to store your image based backup.  You can choose CDs, DVDs, flash drives and hard drvies.  If you are interested in an external hard drive for your image backup, the Western Digital My Passport is a good choice.

 

Rebit makes a hardware and software package that combines elements of both image and file by file backups. 

 

If you choose a file by file approach to backup, you have many choices including the following:

 

ClickFree is a new product that is extremely easy to use and it has received a good review by Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal.

 

Sandisk makes a flash drive called an Ultra Backup that includes built in backup software that makes it extremely easy to use.  It comes in a variety of sizes from 8GB - 64GB.  Additional information about the drive is available here.  You may wish to read a review of the Ultra Backup as well.  Directions for using the device are also available.

 

Lexar makes a flash drive called the SE Echo Backup that is virtually identical to the flash drive from Sandisk above.  It comes in sizes from 16GB - 128GB.

 

Another alternative is to backup your data to the web.  This has the advantage of providing you with protection should a fire or other disaster happen in your home.  There are several products in this category.  Mozy provides 2 GB of space for free or 50 GB for $6/month.  Idrive is virtually identical to Mozy but it gives you 5 GB of space for free and 150 GB for $5/month.  Carbonite offers unlimited storage for $55/year.  A Drive offers you 50 GB of space for free, although it is not as automatic as the previous companies mentioned.

 

Backing up to a flash drive is one of the least expensive solutions.  Flash drives come in a variety of sizes.  Microcenter in Rockville sells very inexpensive flash drives.

 

If you are going to use the software on Windows XP to perform your backup and you have the home edition of XP, you will need to install the backup software from your Windows XP CD.  Here are directions for performing that process.

 

Here's an excellent article that provides step-by-step directions for performing a backup using the software that comes with Windows 7.

 

If you have a wireless network at home with two or more computers connected to it, you may wish to install a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, which can backup all the computers on your network.  There are many of these available including a My Book Live  from Western Digital.  I no longer recommend the Seagate NAS110 because of terrible customer service that Seagate provided me.  If you google NAS, you will see many alternative NAS products that I would recommend instead of the Seagate product.

 

Locating the folder where your email is stored can be difficult.  Outlook Express, Outlook, Windows Live Mail, Mail, and Thunderbird all store your email in peculiar folders.  Some of these programs store your mail in one folder if you use Windows XP and a different folder if you use Windows 7.  For help finding where your email is stored, take a look at each of these 4 websites:

 

There is some anecdotal information that CDs and DVDs can last a comparatively short period of time and that they may not be good for archival purposes.  It is very difficult to test the lifetime of CDs and DVDs because temperature, humidity and other factors can affect the results.  For more information see: