RESOLVED!
The problem is that we had had DAP. The guy installing it was using an old setup file that put pre sp2 VFP files. When we ran the CORRECT setup, it worked.


>>My dev computer and the working computer (2) are both connected to the same SQL Database.
>>the 3rd computer using the same exe and dbc connects and opens tables but fails on an update that the other computers are succeeding in.
>>
>>computer 2 and 3 do not have VFP installed. computer 2 has sqlexpress and tools but is not connecting to the local db for this app.
>>
>>computer3 only has sql express management tools.
>>
>>why would one computer connect to the db, then fail seconds later with the handle message while the other 2 computers work?
>>
>>Will the client tools help me configure this?
>>
>
>John,
>
>I'm sorry, I don't have an answer for you. I was just suggesting to try to write some commands (updates) directly in SQL Server.
>
>Do you have read-write access to the database from the third computer?
>
>Are you using mixed autothentication mode in SQL Server?
>
>I hope someone else will jump in with more ideas.