anyone know where to get one of these. I used to have one but now I guess I dont eventhough I thought it came with windows xp.

winrar. Google it.

yep, winrar.
XP has a (crappy) zip extractor, but not a rar extractor.

Zip Genius (http://www.zipgenius.it/index_eng.htm) will also handle this, and it's free.

IZarc is my fav and it is free.

Yep, I usually use Zip Genius. It handles quite a few different archives.

http://www.download.com/3000-2250-10007677.html

thanks all I went with Izarc one. cuz its free and 2. because Zip Genius DL'd with a corrupt file...so thanks again.

I have been using WinRAR exclusively for 2 years now. I perceive it does more than WinZip which I never really liked, and it is easier to use (i.e., better right-click context menu).