I've given up on fixing this old fart... so am backing everything up.

I've backed up

My Documents
Outlook Express .dbx files for the folders
Outlook Express Address Books
Desktop stuff that was not shortcuts
IE Favorites
FF Bookmarks

I'm double checking the Program file folders to double check on which ones might be saving files somewhere other than My Docs...

... am I missing anything else that I should be backing up?

Thanks!

What about downloaded program files? I would also use Belarc to do a complete software inventory so you make sure you have all your disks. I would do a full system back just in case.

FYI; all the backing up I'm doing is to an external HD.

As for downloaded .exe files, I always save them to my docs/software.

I'll Google for Belarc software to do the inventory just in case.

I've always backed things up manually... what's the best method for a full system backup? Would I be backing it up to the external?

You can backup to the external. There are several inexpenisve backup utilities out there. But you want a FILE backup, not an image. You want to be able to restore individual files.