What is "system volume information"?

[Rhymes]

I'm getting aquainted with my computer since I started getting in the spyware/viruses removal business, and I have noticed that many infected components come from the system volume information file of the hard drive.
It seems to be some kind of backup info. I succesfully came to explore its components by unchecking the *hide protected system files" option of windows explorer.

Is it vital to the computer? (since it seems to ovewrite itself after a while)
Can I disable that fonction?
I would also like to know about its purpose...


Thanx

 

[MarineCorps]

http://www.theeldergeek.com/system_volume_information_folder1.htm

 

[Rhymes]

Thanx a lot, very very good site

 

[MarineCorps]

I googled system volume information and that was the first site that popped up.