tx, i'll try safe mode. when i put this 80 gig hdd on her pc, i partitioned off four segments, c, d, e, and f. i did have the swap file going to the d at first so i could easily delete it when cleaning, but then went back to allowing windows to manage the file. that's why i said curiously the d is missing from the list of drives that are in compatability mode. it should have been included with the rest.... ah well, i'll give safe a try and keep you posted. tx. ~s

The poor man is not he who is without a cent, but he who is without a dream.
- Harry Kemp