Best Backup Solution?

[B@Th*nG]

Hi Guys,

I want to backup the files on my PC. I've currently got 2 1tb drives, one i've designated the "backup" drive and the other is split into 3 partitions; an XP partition, a windows 7 partition and a data partition with all my music, movies, games etc... on.

What is the best method of backing this data up? I've set off the windows 7 backup software but i'm concerned it's not really going to be a massive help as it doesn't backup all the installed software. What i want to do is effectively take a full image of all 3 drives and incremental backups there after with the ability to explore the "image" and copy out any files i might want. This will backup all my files and installed programs and allow me to repair the windows partition should there be any problems. Does such a program exist or would i need to use a combination?

Also, is this even the best course of action? is backing up the installed programs and things strictly necessary? My thinking is that if i backup the windows partition and i have to restore it then there will be loads of programs missing and it'll be a bit of a mess i'd have thought.

B@

 

[B@Th*nG]

Ok, i've run the windows 7 backup on all 3 drives, the windows 7 drive, the XP drive and the installed programs and music, viedo's and games drive and i can mount the vhd of the 7 and XP drive, but there isn't one for the tertiary drive, why's that?

If my hard-drive fails i want to be able to recover it so it's exactly the same as it was before, and it doesn't look like i'd be able to do that with the windows 7 backup, is that right?

B@