taken from http://www.hostmysite.com/support/sql/backup2005/ for personal documentation

To backup your MS SQL Server 2005 database, please follow these steps:

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio.
2. Connect to your MS SQL Server database.
3. Right-click your database, expand All Tasks and select Back Up.
   
4. Under Backup type, select Full.
5. Under Destination, click Add.
   
6. Enter the path and file name for the backup file.
   
7. Click OK.
8. Review the settings for the backup.
   
9. Click OK to begin the backup.

The instructions above will create a complete backup of your database. This is the recommended method to ensure that all data is backed up.