External hard disk

> Dear All,
>
> I have purchased two (20 GB and 40 GB) external hard
> disks, primarily for back up purposes. When I used them
> to copy directories (especially from remote computers
> over the network!) I frequently loose connectivity. I use
> simple "copy/paste" type of copying whole directories. It
> is annoying if, for instance after half an hour all the
> sudden the connection drops. The external hard disk is
> connected through USB 2.0 and using an extra power supply
> for the hard disk does not substantially change it. Is
> there a more robust way of doing this type of copy in XP
> Home Edition or is there a patch for XP existing?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Heinz