What device to you use? External Hard drive? Flashdrive? or CD/DVD? What do you find to be more reliable. I will probably only need to back up once a week or month; depending on when I add new pics. I use it daily for the internet and games. (Home computer. I only have about 30GB total with OS; otherwise just 10GB of files/pics/music.) I read many stories of people having to return their External HD while unter warrenty; so my concern is if you've already downloaded your files; then how secure is your info when returned.1 person got this answerI do too

First, let's talk a bit about backing up in general. Backing up is just about the best thing a computer user can do.When you backup regularly, the chances that you will lose your work and your memories are substantially reduced.And once you progress to a sophisticated type of backup called imaging, the chances that you will have to reinstall your software are also substantially reduced. It goes without saying that you should backup regularly and often. Depending on how much you use your computer - most people use their computers just about every day - you should create a backup schedule that will always leave you with a reasonably current backup.For most people, daily backup is the best policy. Therefore, you will want to choose a backup method that is fast and convenient. For most people, backing up to an external hard disk or a USB ('flash') drive is the best solution. Between those two, I would choose an external hard disk, because they have substantially more space and work faster than a USB drive. With an external hard disk and backup software, you can schedule backups to occur automatically -- like the Ronco guy says "just set it and forget it". You can backup when you're not at the computer; you can even backup while you're working. External hard disks are very reliable, though nothing in life is guaranteed.It's a rare event to have one fail. And given how inexpensive they are, an external hard disk really is a no-brainer solution. Another community answer from the Windows XP newsgroups

StevenYou talk about backing up to an external hard drive. How do I do It. I thought my computer crashed this morning and panicked. I already have a 250 gig Simple tech hard drive ,just don't know how to use it.Thanks