Thanks for the tip, luckily I had backed up a week or so ago, and I found that my hard drive will work for around 5 mins before locking up, so I have managed to send the rest of of the files since the last backup to my iMac. And thankfully I bought applecare, hopefully I don't have any problems with replacing it..... Al --- You wrote: Al, I have used and recommended (successful so far in every case) a guy in Texas, far less expensive than data recovery companies but just as good. (Disclaimer: no referral fees, no payola, no connection). --- end of quote ---