Backup Questions

[EDB]

With a malfunctioning COmpaq Presario 5384 running 98, I want to back up the IE Favorites folder, the Outlook emails, and important documents, before performing a system restore. Here are my questions that I need help figuring out and confirmation....

With IE Favorites: On my version of IE, I can export favorites to a file through the menu. (I haven't done this b4, so I want to make sure I don't mess it up.) I plan on putting this file onto some other media, and reinstalling it after a system restore. Can I then simply go back to IE, and import my favorites from the file (browse to the file I backed it up in?)
*edit* - other websites tell me I can just copy the favorites file from the c:\Windows directory. Suggestions?

With Outlook:
Looking at my copy of outlook, it appears to be similar: Export to a file. But when I look at it, I have some options that I am unsure of... what format should I export it to, so that I can easily re-import it later? Should it be Comma Seperated VAlues for Windows?
Does this only backup the contact information? What about the emails that were already read? Aren't the emails stored on the server, and not the computer's HD?
Also, in terms of re-setting outlook, what info do I need to make note of b4 restoring the system? I haven't really used outlook b4, and am unsure how to set it up for email access... looking at it, it looks like I have to note the POP3 and SMTP server names, username, and password.
*edit* after a little more searching I found a page that suggests copying a file called outlook.pst. Would this be the same as exporting?

Finally backing up documents and the like:
I've had trouble in the past with dragging folders of files onto a cd, or across to a networked drive... The folder will get copied, but it will be empty! I think this is due to the attributes of the file, and if I can select all files in the folder and remove all attributes, I think I should be good. Correct?

Generally:
How much space does a backup file of Favorites need? What about Outlook? Also does it matter WHERE I locate the backup file when restoring or how I name it?
I plan on doing this backup by taking the HD from the comp and bringing it home and placing it as a slave in one of my comps... does it matter which OS I use? Can a NTFS based OS like 2000 or XP read and manipulate these files in a 98 FAT(Not sure if FAT32 or other) drive? Or should I use a system running 98 to do this? I imagine it doesn't matter.

I worry when things look simple, as it often seems that it's not!
Thanks a lot!

[Cricket]

For IE Favorites, I just open Windows Explorer and drag and drop the whole Favorites folder to my USB flash drive. Then I just drag and drop the folder back after I do whatever it is I was doing. The size of the folder is usually very small...less than 1MB.

Cricket

[glc]

For Outlook Express, look in c:\windows\application data\identities. Drill down till you find Outlook Express, it should be full of .dbx files. Save that folder, if there is more than one identity, save each one the same way. Then when you go to import them back in, you import from a store directory. Then search for .wab files, those are the address books.

For Outlook, just save the .pst file.

You can use any operating system that supports fat32 to get the data, and there will be no security, permissions, or rights issues with 98.

Favorites take up very little space, but Outlook/Outlook Express can take up quite a bit if there's a ton of saved mails and nobody has taken out the trash in a while.

[EDB]

Thanks Cricket and glc!
glc- I'm a little confused by what you refer to as the store directory... is that just where I backed them up to?
(ie a CD or extra HD?)

and when you refer to .wab files, you mean I should back those up as well... and later import them...right?

Ok, Thanks a bunch... the woman now sez she has someone else to backup the files, so I'll just have to play around with my own comps!