Back up of computer

[Shelle]

Further to my email back up question, what else should I back up?  I have backed up certain word folders, but nothing else.  Should entire computer contents be backed up (if that is possible), or just certain things?  And what is the easiest and best method to do this?

[ben_wade]

there is no point in backing up everything

The basic answer to what you should back up is what ever you do not want to lose but this doesn't include windows and program files.

Best methods are an extra hard drive (Not windows one), over a LAN, to CD/DVD

[smorodina]

Back up your 'favorites' folder or you'll lose them and they might be hard to find again.

[j2buttonsw]

smorodina is correct: favorites often gets overlooked and is hard to rebuild. Search the computer for *.doc, *.xls, *.ppt (ie all the office applications), e-mail is a must (*.pst or *.dbx for OE), my documents usually has most things, files that you have downloaded, music (*.mp3, *.wmv, *.avi, *.mpg) and more unusually any template or signatures you have created (*.dot)