hackapelite

Okay, first off, a question: I have "Show hidden files and folders" enabled and when I select all files&folders in C: and click hit properties it says It's only 30GB worth crap. However, when I click properties on drive C: it says 40GB is being used. Where's my missing 10GB?

Secondly, I want to backup my entire laptop HD without taking it out, as I want to install Linux on it. So if Linux doesn't work for me on the lappy, I could just restore the computer to what it was before (Bloated vista BASIC).

Accessories at you disposal:
-A 80GB external HD.
-"unlimited" supply if 4.7GB DVDs/700MB CDs
-A few USB flash drives with sizes ranging from 128MB to 2GB

With all that^, how should I do this Is there a program I could burn on a CD and boot off to make an image of my HD or something...?

Oh and I need to back up my C: drive as well as the recovery partition, if possible retaining their exact sizes.

__________________
Teh Shiznizzel, yo!
Runs Ubuntu Linux 9.04 (next up: Gentoo)
AMD Phenom 8450 X3 @2.1GHz
ASRock AOD790GX/128M (SB750)
ATI Radeon HD3300 IGP 128MB Shared memory
2x2GB AMICROE DDR2-800 6-6-6-18
500GB Samsung + 320GB Seagate Barracuda
380Watt CoolerMaster PSU
LG "SuperMulti" DVD Writer
Generic MIDI Tower

I'm a VIP and thereore immune in teh interwebz!