>Thanks for trying. This is the only W2k machine. The others are W98 or XP Pro. The XP has no such problem. I am not spending enough time on the problem to justify a reinstall at this time. This is my main machine. I would first try and find someone familiar with the problem. A www search has not found it yet but there has to be a reason. Due to the type of problem, I would really like to find out what is causing it as I suspect (as you do) that some software is locking full access to the folder.
>

You can try to disable some services you need not, and to deinstall some programs you need not. Also check what programs are started on startup.

HTH