Backing up my HD...

[TrainTrackHack]

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.

 

[Vipernitrox]

in the same place you've set the "Show hidden files and folders" options there also is an checkbox "hide protected operating system files" or something similar. Try unchecking that one and check the size again.

you can use acronis true image for the backing up. It can either take a partition or a hard drive. You can also decide if you want to resize the partitions when putting them back.