i pulled a HDD from a 486 dx 33 last week that i know has not been used in at least 5yrs and the data was intact. At least the data that has programs that still exist to read the files. Now wether or not this should be common practice or not i dont know. But HDDS are sealed air tight so they do not erode as easily as say floppy disks do. I have also read lately that some CD-Rs do not hold their data for more than a few years either. So HDDS are probably as safe, but would like to hear more on the subject myself. BTW volkanb i have visited your wonderful city, wish i lived there too.