don't know if this is of any use to you, but here's a backup script i use, which calls Microsoft's Backup utility
It's written in perl so you'll need to install that @ http://www.activestate.com
I wrote it cause i'm a lazy git and couldn't be bothered to keep entering the backup program etc. here's the perl script:
# Backup system files kickoff ntbackup routine
($sec,$min,$hour,$mday,$mon,$year,$wday,$yday,$isdst) = localtime(time);
$year+=1900;
$mon++;
$mon = sprintf("%02d",$mon);
$mday= sprintf("%02d",$mday);
$tdate = "$mday-$mon-$year";
$temp = `ntbackup backup \"\@c:\\backups\\backup.bks\" /f \"c:\\backups\\SysBackup $tdate.bkf\"`;
$temp =`explorer.exe c:\\backups`
Save that as a Perl file. You will need to run Backup and select the things you want to backup, save the backup file (bks file) into c:\backup or where ever (change code above). I then compress the file manually (send to Compressed Zip folder). One thing to note about the Backup utility if the selections in the backup file don't exist it usually falls over straight away. Once run you should end up with a file something like "SysBackup 31-08-2004.bkf"
I've got this in my quick launch toolbar, 1 click backups ready for burning to DVD.