Why should I Backup?
A backup is important because it allows you to store a copy of a folder or file in another location. For example a picture file [*.jpeg] whilst the original file will remain on your computer's hard disk, the backup (the copy) will be stored, for example on a CD-R or another hard disk.

If your computer’s hard disk fails and all of your folders and files are lost, you can then rely upon your backup to restore all of your work.

Backup to…
You can make a backup to:

1) Floppy disk
2) CD-R/RW and DVD formats
3) USB flash/Pen drive
4) A Second Internal Hard disk
5) USB External Hard Disk

Advantages and Disadvantages:

Floppy Disk:
Advantages: Inexpensive, ease of use.
Disadvantages: You are limited to only 1.44MB of Data.

CD-R/RW:
Advantages: You can store up to 700MB of Data, inexpensive when bought in bulk. CD-RW can be written to, many times.
Disadvantages: CD-R can only be written to, the one time; CD-RW has a reputation for the data to become unrecognisable by Windows.

DVD Formats:
Advantages: You can store up to 4.7GB of Data.
Disadvantages: Expensive Media. (At present)

USB flash/Pen drive:
Advantages: Quick installation (Windows XP), Inexpensive (depending upon size), Fast and reliable.
Disadvantages: Need USB 2.0 hardware to transfer data at higher speeds, limited to 1GB of data, Expensive (depending upon size)

A Second Internal Hard disk:
Advantages: You can store up 250GB of data, no special software needed, just use it like your currently installed drive, fast transfer of data (depending on type and speed of the hard drive).
Disadvantages: Can be expensive, need to be competent in connecting
a hard drive, Need to know of BIOS settings and how to format although formatting is relatively easy in Windows XP.