Disk Utility Error (input output error)

Hi, i am trying to create an image file of my HDD using the disk utility in recovery mode. I have a 160 GB external hard drive that i would like to save it to. When I attempt to create it, it starts but fails part way through, giving an input/output error. Both the laptop and the external HDD were powered on the entire time. Thanks in advance for any help.

I received a generic error message, with no number. The external is 160 GB, and before i tried to create the .dmg I reformated the drive as MS-DOS (FAT) using the disk utility. I did notice that when I try to create a new disk image from Macintosh HD (my HDD) it gives a "File to large" error, I tried to create a new image from folder, then selected Macintosh HD under devices from the left hand navigation pane. Thanks for your continued help.

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