Thank you guys; my USB Flash mem. died after about a year far from its lifetime (100 000 writings); I used it for downloading when surfing in the library and I didn't misuse it in any way. I'm pretty disappointed in these Flash sticks; I hoped for a longer lifetime not only about 10-12 months. Also, the computer manufacturers talk about Flash Harddrives in computers; it won't be fun when your Flashdrive dies after a few months losing all important data...:-| Regads Atte