Auto backup of files - Software recommendations

[AllYourBase]

I want to backup various directories scattered across my laptop automatically on to USB hard drive I just bought.

Can anyone recommend any software which will allow me to specify which directories I will to back up and monitor changes so that I don't have to copy the whole lot across each time for a backup?

I am not bothered about backing up Windows settings and all that. If system restore cant sort it, I am happy to reinstall windows and start again! haha

I used to use Norton in the past, but I suspect things have moved on since then??!

[huxley]

Acronis does it all. Never had it fail on me.

http://www.acronis.co.uk/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

There are older versions about. I have version 9 which lets you do every thing you want above.

[AllYourBase]

Cool, I have heard good things about this, but I wondered if it might be overkill for me. It sounds like a winner!

[capcom_suicide]

The free MS tool "Synctoy" is very good. You can schedule it too. Sort of like Robocopy but for home users.

Perfect for syncing paris of folders from PC to external disk.

[huxley]

Synctoy is great when backing up folders / files as it can be made to only move new stuff etc, great time saver.

@ allyourbase - Acronis has a lot of features but it really easy a piece of piss to use, I`d never use the likes of notron backup/ghost ever again.
The acronis disk can be used as a boot disc as well. Ive used it a few times on peoples borked pcs and got back lost files etc.