Backup for Home Basic

Someone please help me find an answer for backing up my Vista Home Basic OS.
I try to follow the answers to other peoples questions but they are either too complicated or they dont apply. I tried backing up to Disks using E drive but it took forever and it was expensive. It took 12 disks to backup my files a month ago. I'm now getting a popup advising that a full backup is required soon. Can someone tell what to do and how to do it. I'm not very computer saavy but I can follow instructions if they are spelled in not-so technical terms.
Thanks in advance for help.
Linda

Vista does not back up well on Discs. I know it says that it does, but use an external HD. I had the same problem with Seven

Sounds like you used CDs in lieu of DVDs. With 2 DVD-R it should work.

OMG...Do I feel like a real dummie. You are so right. It was CDs. I purchased a pack of DVD-R, 5 pack. How I ended up using CDs is beyond me. So let me ask a question. I used up 12 CDs to do what I thought was a good back up. You said that 2 DVD-r should work for backing up my Vista Home Basic? Well I;ll give it a try. And thanks for the advise.
Linda:D

Linda,
Your best bet is an external HD, give it a try.