need to back up my files as I will be reinstalling windows, need a safe and easy if possible way of doing this

Answer 1

USB thumb drive (cheap at walmart, etc.) or you could do it online at www.box.net - depending on how many files you have.

The thumb drives are really cheap now, and if you prefer storing stuff online, box.net offers 1 gigabyte of free storage.

Answer 2

There are couple of things that u need to take care so that u do not lose anything:

If you have disk partitioned or second disk that you can use the Create a Folder in it that Says "Backup" so that you can use it to copy the data that u will need after the fresh install.

Then Start copying the following to the folder created:

1> Copy Favorites Folder (for IE) & Export Bookmarks if you use Firefox

2> Copy any Data Files you have on your desktop

3> If you use MS Outlook then copy the PST Files. These files are located in the following location by default:
C:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

If you have created them at other location copy them from there.

4> Export any rules from MS Outlook that you have created to the the backup folder so that you can import them back

5> Export Your address book

6> Copy all the data from My Documents

7> Copy any folder that you have created in C Drive. As a personal recommendation i'll suggest that once u have the new system u should keep all ur data in my documents only and that my documents should point to second partition/second harddisk. This can be done by right clicking on my documents--> Properties--> Move

8> IMPORTANT: Make sure that you have all the Device Drivers for your machine. This can generally be found on the CD's that come with the machines. Otherwise you can download them from the internet before hand...coz if u miss the network driver than after the fresh installation u wont be able to go to internet :)

9> Make sure you have the Installations of all the Softwares ....generally available on CD's....this step is not that critical

10> Any other data/apps that u r aware needs to be copied!

Once you have done this u can safely format the C Drive without affecting the other partitions.

Then Simply Ensure that u setup things and restore the data u copied earlier to the required location. You can follow step 7 above and transfer My Documents to the Second Partition where u have already backup data and simply move the data in that folder and you are all set.....next time when u need to do the formatting u dont need to do Step 7 as the data will always be in other dis/partition and that saves tonns of time & its ensures that there will be no data loss.

Hope this helps...

Answer 3

Try backup this folder "Documents and Settings" most of your file should be there.

If you not sure that you have the Divice Driver for your hardware try backup your driver file too by using DriverBackup from http://www.zhangduo.com/driverbackup.html

Backup other file in your main drive and it's ready to go.

Answer 4

You can back them up to CD using whatever program you have. If you have a memory stick (USB) it will hold more data. It is difficult to back up or save any program that you have downloaded; although, it can be done by finding the .exe file. Good luck.

Answer 5

Use Acronis True Image to back up your data.It's very good software for backing up your documents ,it's reliable and easy to use. You can store backups on your computer in Acronis Secure Zone and you don't need then to burn them on many CD's or you can back up it to the external hard drive.
www.acronis.com