[monnie]

Someone might have a better way which allows you to install the game as your backup, but here's how I always did Sims1 and it's the way I plan on doing Sims 2 Backups.

Essentually you can just backup/copy only certain directories where changes and add-ons occur but I'm more paranoid so I just copy the entire directory just in case.

Then after I reformat, I reinstall the Sims. And all the folders where the objects, towns, ect. were, I would copy off my backup disk and paste over the ones in my newly installed Sims directory. I haven't played the Sims in a while and I just started playing Sims2 because I was playing other games. So I'm not sure yet what else you need to backup besides the TSbin & Sims folders under your documents. Aswell as music & vid if you customised any. Someone should most likely reply telling you what you have to backup specifically and what to overwrite after a fresh install. But anyway, if I were you I would copy the entire Sims2 directory, and also the Sims directory under your documents. This way you have everything just in case.

It might be possible to use the thread that explains how to turn your CDs into a DVD, as a guide on how to do it too install the sims2 with your backup stuff but it will take you some time to figure out.