>OK, so the real problem is not merely the fact that a "File is in use by another" error is generated when it ought not to be, but that
>
>a) this error NEVER occurs on my standalone developmwent PC, a PII @333MHz, 64 MB RAM, running Win98,
>b) it NEVER occurs on my networked PC at the client's site, the slowest PC there and the only one running Win95, and
>c) it ALWAYS occurs on every other networked PC at my client's site, faster PC's, all running Win98, and
>d) I can find no occurrence of any file-name of the form I am creating, either on the network or on a local hard-drive, except on my PC.

I haven't followed this thread so I don't know all the details, but:
1) Are you sure the directory where this file is being created exists?
2) Were all these new, Win98 machines purchased at the same time/from the same source? (They obviously have something in common, and it doesn't appear to be Win98 so...)
3) Do you develop on a drive other than 'C:'?