>>All gave the exact same response. Namely: the external windows program opens for a moment and then closes. At the same location, (all serviced from same firewall with virus and spyware shut off) I installed the program and external windows program on several different computers. It is only one computer that is experiencing the problem.
>>
>>I then substituted notepad.exe for the external windows program. THAT WORKED FINE on all computers including the one in question.
>>
>>I then wrote a 1 form vfp program and compiled into an exe. That program was able to run the external windows program just fine on all computers.
>>
>>So the problem is specific to my initial vfp app installed on a particular computer. Everywhere else it is installed it operates fine.
>>

>Step one: Start vanilla vfp like you did start notepad.
>if step one works
>   Step two: Start your program via vfp.exe with 
>   set step on 
>   as second line 
>else
>   reinstall vfp

>
>HTH
>
>thomas

Thomas,
I am clear on the reinstall vfp if everything else fails. I do not follow everything above that line. Please explain your steps once again.