Backup programs are flaky at best, and as you stated, how do you restore? And most backup programs will not back up the registry. I've been doing "computer stuff" for a long time and have yet to find a backup program that I like.
Just burn files you can't afford to loose like pictures, movies, bookmarks/favorites, emails, etc. to a CD-RW, or in your case maybe a DVD-RW.
Reason being in case of a major failure, just reinstalling the OS and programs is usually easier than trying a restore and it not work.
I have three PCs; mine, the wife's, and my web server. Once a week I erase the DVD-RW disks and burn what I listed above. Just look at your HD and burn what you can't afford to loose.
Good luck,
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I want to back up my entire system using CD-RWs. My OS is Windows 98 Se. My hard drive is 10GB (not large by today?s standards, I know.) I have Nero Burning ROM 5.5.10.13. I?ve tried reading the manuals but they might as well be written in Latin for as much as I can understand them.
How can I calculate how many disks I need to do the backup? Used space is only 1.41GB.
Is it correct that I need to format the disks before I can use them for backup. I don?t remember having to do this with disks I used previously.
Can someone tell me in PLAIN ENGLISH what things I need to check before I do a backup, how to do the backup and how to do the restore if I ever need to?
I know this is a lot to ask but I also know how good people in these forums are. TIA.

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