[CenFlo]

I replied to this earlier, perhaps I didn't hit the "Post" button.

If the phone is needing several resets per day, you will want to load a new rom so "backing up" his setting (or programs) should not be necessary. If he has purchased software for the phone then he technically owns the right to use it, that's your call to make.

You will want to backup your own stuff when you get your personal things on it. Contacts, messages, call logs, files, etc.

This can all be done using a program like PIM backup and stored on the SD card, on your PC, online or all of the above.