Windows Vista Is Image Recovery/Backup Software [Vista/Acronis] Complicated?

I have a PC with Vista Home Premium. I want to make a recovery image and frequently back up my data (which I do now with USB thumb drives). I know that my Vista HP has data backup, but I felt I needed more options, as I have had a hard drive go bad in the last month and lost some music and Windows Mail data. I had the OS reinstalled professionally. I reinstalled my software (AV; Office; iTunes; Adobe Reader; etc.). My question: With the Acronis software I recently purchased (Acronis True Image Home 2009), do you know if it will be possible to have auto data backup while at the same time specify a manual image backup? I now have an external drive (Segate 500 GB). Another question: Is this Acronis software too complicated for an Intermediate+ user like me? I know that this is a subjective question, and you can't do my thinking for me, but I'm just concerned that I may get into trouble with an image backup performed too frequently because I want to backup data often. My Geek Squad expert wants me to back up my data often but only perform an image backup once a month and only after I'm sure my system is running well. He wants me to avoid making an image of my computer if it isn't working well. So, should I just rely on the Vista backup options, or take the plunge and work with the PC BAckup & Recovery software from Acronis?
Bob F

 

Hello!
Yes you can do auto data backup.
It's not complicated software, it has friendly and intuitive interface
and you should download a userguide from acronis site , it will help you to do everything that you want.

 

Thanks Roll. Another question: Do you know if I can use both the Vista Backup (Vista Home Premium) that only saves data and does not make an image of the entire computer, like Acronis will, and then use the Acronis software PC Backup & Recovery software? Or can you get too many backups and create havoc?
Bob F

 

theoretically you can but it is no need to do so many backups.
Acronis backup will be enough.
One more advice- you can store backup archives also on removable media ( if the pc will crash you won't lose your data)