If you are quick, Moxxey posted a link (http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/6891) to get Paragon Back-up and Recovery 10 compact for free (until Jan 19). They also have a free version on their website, but I like to have the full version whenever possible. You can back-up to an additional/external HD or split it into a bunch of DVDs. It also can compress the back-up, but it sounds like you will still need additional storage. Just remember to check the MBR box when making your back-up. Also, with this program you can create your bootable CD. It uses WinPE and is pretty easy to work with. I hope this helps.

ok thanks ,I DL the free version at cnet, but I cant make a winpe bootable cd, I read a little and I dont have the aik or opk .
so would I need to have the win pe disk? and is it only necessary if computer wont start windows at all?
I understand the how to make a backup image, but not how to use it to restore.

I agree with GMMan ... I've used DriveImage XML for a number of years. I've never had a problem with it. Best of all it's free for personal use. You can get more information and/or download DriveImage XML at this link: http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm.

Try DriveImageXML (or similarly spelled). Check it out.

Ok I have 200 gig C: drive, it has 1 partition D: for restore function which is 8 gb.
the rest is C: with 178 total space . I have used 168 Gb of that space.
now I want to back up the c drive , mainly the system files or windows, and the apps I have installed.
so what is the best free software to make a image file to external HD.?
or what is the best way to back up my main drive?
I would need to compress it? or would I need 168 gb of hd space on ext drive to bck this up?
I want to back it up and then add another partition to it, so that windows will be on 1st partition, tehn rest for storage, and still keep the d drive for restore as is 8 gb or maybe change that to 10 gb.
also what would be a good amount for the windows partition 1?
I have recently got the partition software, but need to back up before I attempt to add a partition.
also I have no back up now except for the restore on D drive, so I would like to have a backup, and am also curious how would you use a backup if say windows did crash where it wouldnt come on or boot at all? I dont have a windows disk ,I use XP professional ed and I have tried to make rescue disks [thru windows] , but always get a error at end of process.
so I need some type of rescue disk for my system too.
never had any problems for 5 years, but would like to be ready if something did happen to system.
If I could do the back up, and then have smaller c drive with just windows on it I could then make a smaller image of just that for bkup which is sort of the goal.
so any advice is welcome.