One of my favorite programs of all time is SecondCopy [1]. SecondCopy offers a flexible and easy to use automatic backup program for any Windows computer user. You need to have a spacious backup drive that will hold what you want to backup like an external hard drive, flash drive, etc.
I recommend using this product for automated daily or weekly backups, but I still think it is imperative that you copy the backups this program makes to optical media (CD-R or DVD's_ that can't have electrical or mechanical failures on a regular basis as well.
Watch this short 3 minute video to learn how to use this great data saving program, Second Copy:
Links:
[1] http://www.secondcopy.com
[2] https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=rick@yourpcpartner.com&item_name=Buy
[3] http://www.yourpcpartner.com/computer_help_show_01_24_08.htm
[4] http://www.yourpcpartner.com/missing_file_names_under_documents_or_photo_thumbnail_view.htm