You can use outlook express to back up contacts and messages.
I have done this but it was not the easiest thing to do.
You need to go to info in your iphone settings in itunes, select where you want to back it up to in outlook or yahoo, winddows or google, then sync your phone and job done.
Yes, this is not a simple process, but i know how to finish that easily. I have read an article called "
How to export iPhone contacts as .CSV to computer?" , It explain clearly of how to transfer iPhone contacts to computer. Hope it can help you.