I decided to add my input so that I can hear why it is not a good idea. I was going to buy a new computer, but have now decided to wait for Windows Vista next year...long time I know. I do not have a CD burner (have CD player of course). I still have parallel port so many add-on options are not available to me. This is how I back up my files -- and frequently I use the backup to make certain it is good. Hear a lot about CD's that turn up blank. I back-up my files this way: 1. First I back it up to the PAF file that opens when I click on backup. 2. Secondly I back it up again to the same file adding the date -- Sharon 072305+ the ext. When I have several then I delete the oldest dates, keeping two or three. 3. Third I back it up again to my zip drive using the file name - -it overwrites the file there. 4. Fourth I back it up again to my zip drive using the file name and the date. The zip disks I use in pairs of four -- today #1, tomorrow #2, etc. I regularly open them to see they work. At the end of the year (or sooner if I have been doing lots of research) I put those away for a year and start with four new zip disks, say beginning 2005. Next January I will discard 2004, save the four 2005 disks and start four new ones for 2006. If I am spending the entire day adding to the file then as I do backup's I add A-B-C , etc., for as many times as I use that date. I have 16 different PAF files -- various lines of family, a "may be related" file, and files for friends and other family I am helping with their research. I have never had to use a backup to restore a file. Am I unknowingly walking on dangerous "PAF'S" (paths) here? (Everyone groan) Sharon in HOT HUMID So. California