cacoa thanks for your help, but can't do it tonight - i'd still prefer to stick it straight onto my hard drive - I don't care if it corrupts everything on it. I'm due for a new install anyway, and I keep nothing of importance on it except barebones programs, everything else is on ext HD. Anyway, I'm sure you'll be hearing from me again.... probably stupid stuff, but I always find it's the first steps which are the most frustrating with anything 'computerese' - once I get my head around the structure I fly...
