The best way to back up files, including all your piccies and music etc. is to buy an external hard drive.
A 120gb is only about £50, and the box another £20.
Just plug into a usb port, and start copying. (ok, a bit more to it, but the wizzard takes you through)
You don’t need to put windows on it.
No big piles of cd’s to be seen, just a neat looking silver box on your desk.
happy backing up peoples!