Backing Up Factory Settings Partition to External HDD?

[Performula]

My notebook was having issues with the graphics card not always turning on, I sent it in to their repair center, as it was covered by warranty, and then I got it back. Apparently, this was an OS (Win7) issue, and they did a complete restore of my system to factory settings. In other words, my notebook is now in the state of what it was when I turned it on for the very first time.

Anyway, when I turn the notebook on, "AI Recovery Burner," one of the included programs on my Asus notebook, tells me I should prepare some DVDs and make a back up of my "factory state Windows" or whatever. From what I read, it's a hidden partition or something that restores your computer to factory settings when you fuck up.

[b]Now what I'm curious about is:[/b]

Can I use an external hard drive instead? How?
Can I just use another program (Acronis True Image Home) in substitute?

[Performula]

thread needs another breath of air

[sir whoopsalot]

Whether or not you can use an external HDD, I don't know.
What I do know is that you should use the DVD's since recovery programs don't allow ISO mounting (I think).