>I am having an issue with a client, and have verified the following by phone three times.
>
>I have a folder that contains 68 report files, and it is in its own folder titled EFARPTS within the application folder. So, it is like this:
>
>C:\CPRGLOC\EFARPTS
>
>I noticed this folder was completely empty to my amasement, so I copied from CD the EFARPTS with its 69 report files back to the proper location, then browsed the folder to verify the files were there. Yes, they were there.
>
>Then I had the client start my app, tried to run one of the reports and got an error that an alias was missing (which was an alias within one of the 68 report files).
>
>I had them exit the program, and... although the EFARPTS folder was still there, all 68 files are no longer there. By the way, there is NO erase routine with the app to do this.
>
>I am able to duplicate this over and over.
>
>Any suggestions as to what could be going on here?

First, I'd run a basic disk check like CHKDSK to see if there are any file system problems.

Could there be any system-level utilities running that may be buggy or not completely Vista-compatible such as antivirus, scheduled backup etc.? You could check running processes and make sure they are as expected.

A little while ago I ran into a situation with similar symptoms. I think the circumstances were different from yours, but I'll relate it in case it gives you any ideas:

- A client of mine has a multiuser VFP app with its files stored on a W2K Server
- One day a user inadvertently did a drag/drop with the mouse in Windows Explorer and moved some of these files to a different folder on the server
- They called me up the next day complaining that the app no longer worked. After a brief search of the server HD we located the files and moved them back to the right place.
- A little while later they called again saying the app still didn't work
- We checked the files we had moved and they were no longer there. We could no longer find them anywhere on the server HD.
- They swore up and down no-one was using the app when we were trying to put the files in the right place. This was verified by going around to each workstation and ensuring the app wasn't running.

It turned out that one user was in the habit of logging in to a Terminal Server session on the W2K server, and running the VFP app that way. Instead of closing the VFP app and logging off from the session, that user was simply disconnecting from the TS session (i.e. leaving it running). So, there was an "orphan" TS session running with VFP files open.

Once we discovered that, we closed the TS session and uploaded new files to the correct location. Problem solved (that, and educating the users in the proper use of TS sessions ;))

I don't know how this could be related to your problem, unless maybe your user is logging on to his/her desktop via Remote Desktop and RD is somehow not working properly. Or, is there some other remote control host present such as VNC, GoToMyPC etc.?

Apparently there is a hack possible to allow concurrent sessions on Vista: http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1220&Itemid=224 . Hopefully your user hasn't messed around with anything like that.




>P.S. - I have VISTA more by the day.

It took me a while to figure out what I think you meant here - did you mean "hate"? ;)