Organising your files
Arrange the files that need to be backed up under one directory e.g. under "My Documents". When your run the backup program select the folders to be backed up under "My Document". Make sure you select all users folders - Windows XP/2000 creates separate "My Document" areas for each users.
Mail - Microsoft Outlook Express stores the mail archives in an obscure directory. Change the store directory as follows: Tools -> Options -> Maintenance tab -> press the Store Folder button and change the path to your backup directory e.g "My Documents\Mail".
Games - Games programs tend to store the game settings where the program is stored e.g. under C:\Program Files\NameofGame\Saved games. Either add this to the list of folders to backup or find the "save game" setting within the application and change this to a folder under "My Document\games"
The safest method of protecting data, is daily online backup. If you don't do this, then use backup software to archive your data to file, CD or DVD - read more about backup software. You need to rotate the backup media and for added safety take the backup offsite. Ensure that the backup is password protected.