>As a long term solution though I'd really like to be able to import this file directly from vfp without using anything with access. Not sure how they could be corrupt when delphi's tools will read the files fine and other utilities say that are dbase 4 files.

1 question, 1 comment.....
1) Do you have any influence on the Delphi output? Maybe another format is available that could be transferred with less pain.
2) Rich Simpson (of Mind's Eye) works in Delphi - he might be another resource.

HTH,