You can use INKEY ():

CLEAR TYPEAHEAD
INKEY (10)

IF FILE('THEFILE.TXT')
   PROCESS THE FILE
ELSE
   MESSAGEBOX ABOUT FAILURE
ENDIF

>I want to check for a file's existence and then move on in the code.
>
>I want to wait about 10 seconds to see if the file shows up in a certain folder.... if so, great... process it and display it's data..
>
>If not, then show a messagebox and let the user know of the files non-existence.
>
>I was thinking along these lines....
>
>

>DO WHILE (less than 10 seconds elapsed)
>     IF FILE('THEFILE.TXT')
>          PROCESS THE FILE
>          EXIT
>     ELSE
>          MESSAGEBOX ABOUT FAILURE
>          EXIT
>     ENDIF
>ENDDO
>

>
>How would I time out the 10 seconds and take care of the passing midnight situation?
>
>Or am I totally whacked and there is some easier and more logical manner to this?