This may sound like a newbie question which it mig

How do i do a complete and full back up of my whole site to my PC?

if using cpanel, you can create a backup, it will send you an email when it is complete, and I believe it has a link to download the backup. If not, you can get it using your ftp program.

Thank you brother ProfessorSr, i will try that, but i was told to try to make a copy to my PC so that my server won't be congested, even though it is set up to do an auto back up and delete previous ones, but i guess i will have to learn. Hope all is good with you and fam!

I just saw the pictures, so the last one which if i enter my email address, it will send me the full back up there as well, or just a notification letting me know its complete?

Notification - I think with a link to download. But if no link, you can use your ftp program to download the backup - then delete if you wish to.

I will try to look up more on that thanks!!!

It depends on how much space you have but it is always nice to have a backup on a different server or machine.  Note that if you have a lot of files, your backup will be large.  You may find the backup consisting of 10 gigs of data or 100 gigs if you have a big site with lots of members.  You may find the download takes a bit of time, I have started downloads and let them run through the night.

Yes, you can download via FTP but that will not backup your database. You will need to export that by hand using phpmyadmin.

The cpanal method will backup everything if your cpanal has a backup. Then you download that backup to get it off your server.

Either way. Your going to use server resources. Even with FTP you still are downloading from your server. All backup methods require you go though your server to do it. Which is why you should choose a time to do that backup when the number of members online is at a minimum.

Deano has a point there;  anything you transfer through your front facing nic is going to count towards your bandwidth usage if you are being metered.  Actually, even if they say you are not being metered you are being metered.  You should ask them if you have any backup storage; usually that is done through the back facing nic and does not count towards bandwidth.

Thank you all, and yes my hosting did a back up, but after reading all this, i am starting to wonder if having the auto backup on the server is a good idea even though it deletes the last one. You guys know how it is it's a circle, all depends on how frequent you have the auto backup scheduled. In any event, i guess i have to figure out what to do. As for how many members.....i don't have to worry cause it's me, myself, and i...just kidding, and thanks, i don't honestly have many members, its cool, so i will wait till a specific job is done and then focus on the backing up issue. Thanks again for all your help peeps!