Backing Up My PC
 

Before Vista SP1 comes out I would like to do a clean install so I can set up some things that I should have done to begin with. Like partition it right and set it up for Bitlocker (is that smart? or even needed? opinions on this?)


I have an external HDD that has about 25 gigs left on it (could be more here when I clear out some music and other things). Other than documents (which I can put onto a USB Flash Drive to save some space) and a few smaller folders of pictures.

What would be the best way to go about backing it up? Because I don't have a way to install some of the programs that I have. I could gain some back. iTunes, Quicktime, Winrar, Winzip, and others are just a download away. Adobe CS3 is on DVD. But what about the ones that I can't get back?

Any advice?

I do have a DVD burner, but would prefer not to burn it all seeing as this would only be a onetime thing ( I would like to think) and I also don't have an unlimited supply of DVDs.

I have a 120 gig HDD with about varying amount (usually around 50-60 gigs left depending on how many system restore points are stored and temp files).

Sorry it's so long but I don't want to do this blindly and lose something.

Thanks guys