Thanks 4 the help!
The latest dilemma is that my brand new Maxtor Basics External HDD has taken its own life…i feel slightly better in knowing that I am definately not the first Maxtor customer this has happened to. By the looks of things il have to kiss goodbye to all my captured footage, get a new and equally shite Maxtor on warranty then start the process again. To avoid the problems I’ve been having I think Il just try and capture the footage I require, I’ll take the advice you’ve given on board tho, thanks!