Could you give us a little more detail. A buffer-over-run can do havoc, but may not be mailicious code or a virus. Are you saying the external drive was infected when received? Or that it became infected from your computer? Or perhaps being shared with a fiend's computer? I remain a little suspicious of claims of virus infections (or other intentional malicious programs) unless the virus is positively identified. I've had only a very few confirmed virus invasions since 1990. (The first came in on a data disk transporting a report intended for a veternary society meeting in about 1992.) I've had computer hang-ups and some that did damage, but only about five have reasonable confirmation. I had a couple that virus checkers reported as virus that were simply code that contain the signature, but not the claimed virus. I would like some more details concerning the evidence that it was malicious code that actually was the cause of your damage. Serious, regardless of the cause, and always a potential problem, but simply using a particular storage devise (of what ever class) does not appear to be guilty of the accusation. Any computer is subject to problems, intentional or accidental, but good virus, etc. ware, and avoiding Internet sources or stray used media that has become contaminated will always remain a problem. Thanks for any enlightenment regarding the actual nature of the causal agent would be very helpful. Thanks. Nick Sturm > [Original Message] > From: qvarizona <[log in to unmask]> > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Date: 1/13/2006 7:13:16 AM > Subject: Re: Backing up Your Data with USB > > For whatever it's worth: I had terrible results using a USB (external) drive as backup. Was infected with malicious code (yes, I had security programs), and when I unknowingly activated it I was using my USB. I lost everything in both drives. All files, all photos, everything! With restoration software I was able to get back maybe 60% of the files and none of the photos on the USB. A friend took my main drive into HTP where he works, and was able to restore one file. Lucky for me, it was my 2 year old FTM files that I had "deleted". None of the updated FTMs were recovered. > > I now use CDs AND the USB, and I never leave the USB on other than to load a backup. Still want acid paper and hardcopy. > > Joanne > > > Debbie's Genealogy <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > I just recommended to a friend that if you don't have access to a network > that one of the most practical ideas today is a USB drive, attached to your > computer...but I believe in multiple backups. > > > > > --------------------------------- > Yahoo! Photos > Got holiday prints? See all the ways to get quality prints in your hands ASAP. > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at > http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html