On the topic of index and file corruption - specially in peer to peer workgroups.
The introduction of Hibernate in recent versions of Windows might have contributed to the surge of complaints about corruption.
Here is a quote from the microsoft.public.sqlserver.msde dated Feb 01 2003

Is anyone aware of issues with MSDE (either flavor) and power management
features such as Hibernation and/or Suspend mode?  We're getting reports of
intermittent database corruption, suspect databases, and even NTFS-level
file corruption (FCB errors - file control blocks).

The most recent platform seeing this is MSDE 2K SP2/3 and Win2K Pro SP3 on
some laptops.  When the machine goes into hibernation, sometimes it "fries"
the database(s) or more.
Patrick Logan, MCSD
Opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily those of my employer.

Any thoughts on this in relation to VFP ?