all because of misinformation (Score 1)

NTBackup works just fine, it just doesn't have good reporting for the home user. Don't try and backup to CD or DVD because you just never remember on a weekly/monthly basis. External/Network hard drive is the proper place to backup your files. My recommendation for backup software would be Norton Ghost or Aronis TrueImage. These are imaging programs which provide file backup as well. Very easy and can restore your file, PROGRAMS, OPERATING SYSTEM, and SETTINGS. Only imaging can make recovery easy.