back up in Windows Xp Home Edition

ok...i'm new at this so don't anybody laugh..i have Windows XP that is factory installed. i have never done a back up because i thought system restore was the same thing...anyway something prompted me to look into backing up and i found i need the recovery disks that came with the computer...well i got the second disk caught in the cd-writer tray and scarred it pretty bad..i am trying to replace it but having no luck...i have went back to Systemax and never received a reply (why doesn't that surprise me)if anyone has suggestions or info as to where or what to do would you please email me since i might never find my way back here again...thanks