>Is there a way to prevent VFP from altering the headers of oooold dbf (dBase/Clipper) files used by an ancient system, when using those files? I have found that when 'using' them, they are somehow 'converted' into VFP type dbfs, and will not open again in the old system.
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>Thank you very much for any advice.

Have you tried adding the NOUPDATE clause to the USE statement? (NOTE: this means table will be opened in read-only mode, so you won't be able to make changes to it)