i agree with root, I have an external HD and i simply keep all my films, pictures etc on there in individual files (pictures also on DVD as an ultimate safe backup). Depends what you want to keep, but external is much safer unlss you parttion your HD and that is still prone to disc failure. I would never backup to my operating system HD. THe number of times friends have come around and said my laptop wont start etc but can you get my pictures etc back... OMG, go ecternal now for £50 it saves you a lot of pain