You can use backup programs, but make sure you use one specifically written for Windows. Older backup programs can't handle the long file names permitted by Windows, nor can they handle the VFAT file system. The MS-BACKUP utility provided by Windows 95 and 98 should work well enough for those users, but many folks prefer backup programs such as Norton Utilities or PC-Tools. 95 users, if you want to use MS-BACKUP, go to Microsoft's Web site and find the Backup update, download it, and install it before you use the program. The original Backup program is rather buggy; this update fixes it. (Win 98 users have a much better Backup program, but theirs isn't perfect, either.)

Organized data files are more easily backed up than data strewn all over the disk. One easy way to do it: Make a master data folder off your C: drive, and store all of your data files in it, broken up into subfolders by applications, perhaps, or topics, or whatever system suits your work style. Naming it something like 1DATA will place it at the top of your file directory, which means less scrolling. (MS Office users will have a folder called "My Documents" where these apps store data files. If you rename that file 1Data, or whatever you choose to name your data folder, then MS Office will continue to send documents to that folder. WordPerfect Suite users have a similar folder called My Files.) Don't expect this folder to spring up in perfect shape; let it organize itself as you continue to create data files. Besides, you can always redo it. After you've gotten your data folder going, tell new apps to save files to that folder and not their own default folders. Various apps will have to be told differently to do this. Lastly, create a Shortcut to your data folder on your desktop. One way to do this is to find the data folder in Explorer, right-click and hold the folder, and drag it to an empty spot on your desktop (obviously Explorer cannot be maximized). When you drop it, select Create Shortcut(s) Here from the pop-up menu that will appear. (You can do this with subfolders, too.) To prepare for disaster, just backup the data folder.