I really hate it when it comes to the end of the life of a laptop. So much personal stuff on it, it becomes a best friend.
I have to admit that I don't back mine up as much as I should...my last laptop had quite a lot of my poetry on it, plus two plays I had written for a theatre group, and most of a screenplay. I was devastated when I couldn't get into it anymore, it burned out. I lost it all.
It would be great if the store one buys the next laptop from would upload all the content, but I haven't found one yet that does.
I wish you luck when you aquire your new laptop. Dying to see if you find a good store that wiil help you set you up.
Oh, and a big hi Karen!