You would need to know what ur web site consist of and thus what should be backed up/restored. Usually sites are composed of files and databases. U must take care of them all if u want to have ur site exactly the way it has been before. There are two parts to a complete back up of your Joomla site. 1. The database 2. And the other is file system Instructions on how to backup a database using PhpMyAdmin is here : www.phpmyadmin.net/documentation/#faq6_4 <a href="http://www.phpmyadmin.net/documentation/#faq6_4"></a> or Alternatively, there are several backup extensions for Joomla 1.5. (though u mentioned here don't want to use a plug-in, however u may use Akeeba Backup utility) For File Systems. besides the DB, u should also back up ur site files. The interval for this depends on how often u or ur users make changes to the file system. If users can add photos and media or u make changes to the site other than simple text edits, it should be done often. NOTE: This is best done with an FTP program and is no different than backing up a standard website. Download all the files and folders that exist in the main directory, and save it to a folder on ur local computer. Be sure that the file and directory structure remains the same as it is in the live site. U could then burn a CD or save to an external hard drive if u desire. CAUTION: Most hosts provide an FTP capability from within their control panel. Hope this helps u!

You would need to know what ur web site consist of and thus what should be backed up/restored. Usually sites are composed of files and databases. U must take care of them all if u want to have ur site exactly the way it has been before. There are two parts to a complete back up of your Joomla site. 1. The database 2. And the other is file system Instructions on how to backup a database using PhpMyAdmin is here : www.phpmyadmin.net/documentation/#faq6_4 <a href="http://www.phpmyadmin.net/documentation/#faq6_4"></a> or Alternatively, there are several backup extensions for Joomla 1.5. (though u mentioned here don't want to use a plug-in, however u may use Akeeba Backup utility) For File Systems. besides the DB, u should also back up ur site files. The interval for this depends on how often u or ur users make changes to the file system. If users can add photos and media or u make changes to the site other than simple text edits, it should be done often. NOTE: This is best done with an FTP program and is no different than backing up a standard website. Download all the files and folders that exist in the main directory, and save it to a folder on ur local computer. Be sure that the file and directory structure remains the same as it is in the live site. U could then burn a CD or save to an external hard drive if u desire. CAUTION: Most hosts provide an FTP capability from within their control panel. Hope this helps u!