I have a problem with backing up files to my external harddrive (on Win XP).
When I drag a large folder (a few gigs) to the harddrive, it starts copying, but after a while (5 minutes), the harddrive "dissapears" - it no longer shows up in my list of drives, and the copy gives an error. I have to then unplug the harddrive and plug it in again to make it show up again in my list of drives.
I have this problem with 2 computers, and with 2 external harddrives, so I don't think it's a problem with either the computer or the drive. Small folders are ok, it's just the larger folders that show this problem.
Is it impossible to back up large folders by just dragging them? Should I use a backup program? If so, which one is good (and cheap or free)? PC Magazine recommends the free SynchBack so I'm trying that out.
Later: damn! I tried but the same problem happened, after copying for 5 minutes, the outside drive just 'dissapeared" from my computer, and the copy program reports an error. So it's not just with drag and drop, it's any copying to those drives (remember I have 2) that makes them "dissapear' from windows. Any ideas?
Later: I ran Windows update and all, tried again, still the same problem.
Later: This article seems to describe the problem, in short: Windows XP can have problems with harddrives larger than 138Gigs, upgrade to Service Pack 2 (something I've been holding off on) to fix it.
Later: I successfully installed Service Pack 2, after it crashed on me once. I tried again, STILL the same problem. Arg.
Later: Alright, I am downloading more updates from the Windows Update site. The words "critical update", "strongly recommend" and "security" were plastered all over the page so I figured I'd better say yes.
Later: I installed all latest Windows updates, doublechecked again (no updates), restarted, tried again, and fuck: still the same problem.
I am running out of ideas here...