I apologize for the delay in adding to this off-topic thread. I fully understand Ben's logic. I've done that multiple times on my Macs. On my windows machine, I have removable hd's and it's not a problem. I also have the luxury of having multiple computers with which to work with and multiple os's on them. The issue I've run into with people and Linux (I'm just learning the basics of win and linux) is that they are unable for whatever reason, to get hardware, software, etc to work for them on there machines. The dual boot performs the function of a security blanket. (no helping there situation) As for my situation, Sometimes I have to get some work done without the learning curve. I fully understand that Linux is the only realistic choice for the long run, but sometimes I need to be able to get it done now! Without waiting for replies from a help group, etc. Then there's the issue of games etc, and that we are living in a win desktop world. I need my puters to be able to interface with win and mac. It probably would be easier to use only Linux. In my case, that would mean only half of my devices would work and I would lose the use of a lot of very expensive hardware. That does not mean that I don't think Linux is the most awesome operating system I've ever used. It does provide for many stimulating evenings when I'm not pressed for deadlines etc, and as my understanding increases so does my usage. I understand Ben not wanting to continuously help people with the same problem, but it's part of the learning curve. His patience and dedicated input on this list has been a blessing and I always look forward to his and a few other's replies to this list. Maybe, one day, I can be as knowledgeable as them. Until then, I'll always have a backup puter running Mac OS X/9.x or win 2000. Thanks for the patience, William Ps. More personal identifying information can be relayed upon personal request.