g-mini dropping connection

Hey folks

I have a g-mini (the mac mini size) that I use as a central storage for my home network. It is connected to a time capsule via USB2. For half a year it worked without any problems, but then suddenly it started dropping the connection. Sometimes I can just switch it off and on and it re-appears but then disappears 30 minutes later. Sometimes this does not work at all. It also drops connection when connected directly to a laptop or a computer. At first I thought it was a problem with the time capsule but when I found out it also disappears when connected directly I think the problem must be the drive it self. I have verified it and repaired through disk utility but none the less the problem re-occurs.

I would be very grateful for any suggestions for this is very annoying. I specially bought an expensive reliable drive so I would not have to deal with this kind of stuff... :(

thx
Gudjon