file copying

[Advent Systems]

Hello All,
    I have another question and it concerns copying files to the same 
Buslink USB2 drive I had questions with in my previous post "root 
privileges".  I have a directory on my hard disk called data, below it 
are 15 sub-directories filled with data.  When I try to copy the "data" 
directory to the buslink drive in one "drag&drop" it locks up about 1/2 
through the procedure.  Locks up to the point where NOTHING works not 
even "Xkill" and I have to pull the AC plug!  Then it wont reboot and 
being a noob I have to re-install the whole os from scratch (I've done 
this about 4-5 times all ready) I figured I try to figure it out my self 
before asking  but it just happened again and I'm really getting tired 
of this.  I've gone through all my book both Linux & Unix and checked 
the web and nothing.  I've been using/loving computers and technology 
for 20+ years now and never had these kind of problems with ms-dos or 
windows.  I started with Linux 2-3 years ago w/RH7 because I really 
don't like what ms is doing and have since bought 5 additional distros 
and they all seem to have problems.  Admittedly being Linux I can, and 
probably am sticking my nose in deeper then it should be for my level of 
expertise, but I used to do the same thing with dos and windows and 
never "broke" things to this degree.  Sorry I'm rambling and getting off 
the subject but does anyone have suggestion re the USB drive copying 
problem and maybe suggest a distro I cant "break" as easily.  I don't 
need or want bells and whistles just a distro I can learn and experiment 
with and Oh ya, ever time I reboot the desktop icons are in the same 
place I left them!

Thanks Again (especially for listening :))
Bob Randal