How to compress Files?

You can use a free compression program called 7zip to compress files and folders. www.7-zip.org

I use software like WinZip and other compressing zip softwares for compressing the files and for backup I brought DVD writer so that I can write more data in the DVD discs for movies better to use Divx compressor to reduce the size of movie and for software's use compressors.

Apart from all the suggestions given above, you would like to use NTFS file-system on your harddisk. It manages files well and also it provides us with options for compression which increases free space drastically. In my knowledge, there's no way to decrease an image file that big(1.2 GB) to half the size(500 MB) unless that image doesn't contain already compressed files or files like JPEGs etc.

There is limits for image or voieo files you can compress. Images(JPG) and Divx(Video) are already compressed. So using compression programs like "Winrar" or other program you will reduce only 10%-20% space. The best advice is go for a bigger sized hdd like 160GB-240 GB.

Here's what I think... Most of your file (image and movies) is big and hard to compress... Most likely you can gain about less than approx. 10% (max) of it. Or You can try to buy a dvdrw drive, so you can backup your movies and pictures on dvd. One dvd capable to store +/- 4 Gb of data. Anyway, that's what I think about your problems... I hope it's help.

i suggest u to convert movies in any other format which cover lass space like .avi and compress other file with winzip or winrar