I'm sorry dialyn. I didn't mean to imply by my post that money is of no issue and that every dollar doesn't have any value in my family either. It does. And you're right, no-one should have to spend extra money to safeguard against issues that should'nt exist in the first place. I'm like you in that I'm without any working knowledge as to how these issues occur, and am also a hobbyist. To me, what goes on inside my computer is all black magic with batwings and eye of newt. (whatever newts are.) I suppose that's why I decided to get the drive. I compared the cost of having someone properly reformat my drive after a crash against the extra drive. If P5 crashes it, I'll take it out and put it into a drawer and have it cleaned when I can afford it, and reinstall P5 when reports on this forum indicate that the sharks are out of the water. In the meantime, our system can still be used and I'll continue with P4; still able to type letters, be used for family homework, etc. I didn't upgrade because I could easily afford to, I got it because with these issues I didn't think that I could afford not to. But you are 100% right. No-one should have to. Best of luck in getting enjoyment out of your program in the very near future.