Looking for Email Program with Good Backup

[rjtjrt]

I have lost all my old saved emails (the important ones you need to keep) on 2 occassions now, when my computer HD has has to be reformatted and Windows reinstalled.
I have been looking at hpow best to backup my emails on a separate backup hard drive.
I am currently using Thunderbird, and previously used Windows Live, and Outlook.
Can anyone suggest:
1. The best program to allow me to backup and easily retrieve emails (preferable when retrieved thay will look same as original)O
2. Any tricks to backing up emails.

If, as I suspect it is easy and I am just too stupid to know how to do this, I apologise for my computer naivity. I have looked and Googled but still can't find a way that just has the emails on the backup hard drive

John

[lomapaseo]

I use Thunderbird and backup several computers E-mails at least twie a year (in fact just today)

Depending on your OS I search for the Thunderbird data folder

Under my ID on the computer I look for "app data" (A hidden file so unhide it) then "thunderbird-Profiles and after selecting the right profile (if you have more than one like I do for the wife) then the folder "mail" then the folder in "mail" that contains your most recent entries by date e.g. "in box" This confirms that I am in the correct mail program if there are more than one to choose.

I then copy this "mail" folder to my backup location. If I am copying it to another computer with an existing mail folder I usually delete that folder first so I don't duplicate unwanted files. Of course you may find it better to you interests to simply copy over an existing 'mail" folder and sort out the scrrappage later.

[Mac the Knife]

If you use Outlook then there is a backup add-in.

Download: Outlook 2007/2003/2002 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

Mac

[Milo Minderbinder]

Set your email to use IMAP not POP3 and then the problem goes away

[Bushfiva]

As you're using Thunderbird, MozBackup may do what you want.

[mixture]

Any program that backs up your Windows User Profile should do it.