What is best BACKUP software

As mentioned in intro notes Backup is rarely explored and poorly visited on this site.

I am a novice who is learning quickly.

My sys:

Intel P4E, 3.00 GHz 3006 MHz 1Mb L2 Cache (800FSB socket 478 Prescott CPU with HT)
SiS-661FX ((661FM2-LSR(MS-7060-020)) Motherboard (Micro-Star International Co., LTD.)
ATX Midi Tower 8003LCA400ATTS
BIOS: Phoenix - Award BIOS v6.00PG
2x512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
1x80GB HDD 7200 RPM
ATI Radeon 9200 Pro (RV280) 256 MB
1xFA-ST-CASE Internal Case Fan (and I assume standard heatsink and CPU fan)
2xExtraction Fans (one in power supply and one just below both at top in back of case)

What is the best backup program (free would be great)?

What should I back up?

How often?

I have Ashampoo UIWatcher installed which makes copies of current reg every time I install programs. Is this worth having?

Any advice greatly appreaciated

 

There are many of backup programs, the one I use is called "Genie Backup Manager 6.0.8.1632". It backs up anything you want to a compressed file.

I do a full backup once a week so I don't worry about losing data. This program does cost but it does a great job and is simple to learn.

Genie Backup Manager 6.0.8.1632