re: Computer backup
Nero is a good program. I use it myself sometimes.
When you are using it, it never hurts to run the burn process at a slower speed than the maximum your system can supposedly handle.
Also, if there are selections you can make for a disc verification after the burn, make sure that's set.
My backups are too huge for easy CD use. I can manage with DVDs if I have to, but generally back up on other hard drives.
Don't overlook those little "thumb drives" for backup. You can get a 4 GB one (many CD-ROMs worth!) for about fifty bucks. They're quite reliable, work in any system with a USB port, and very portable.