>>2) HOWEVER: This morning, before any users got on system, I tested again. This time I opened the same tables all EXCL on another workstation, and then did a MODI FORM on the DE-test machine, and I got a big, long, delay, exactly like yours. So, I figure you must have one or more of the DE tables opened EXCL somewhere.
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>>Is this right? If so, the solution is just to make sure all DE tables are open SHARED everywhere.
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>No, this is definitely not the case - in fact, if a table is open exclusive on another WS (or on the same WS), MODIFY FORM won't open at all - error loading... file in use by another, and I think this is normal behaviour.

No, it's quite true Doru, in the way I tested, and my results are an exact reproduction of your performance problem.

First (on any other PC with vfp), I SET EXCL OFF so the DBCs would open okay in the DE-test machine. Then I opened the *tables* in the DE on the other PC EXCL.

If they are open SHARED on 2nd PC, MODI FORM is always fast (for me, anyway). But if the tables are open EXCL on 2nd PC, MODI FORM is very slow on the DE-test machine. I can make MODI FORM either faster or slower by changing the number of tables open EXCL or SHARED on the 2nd PC. The more EXCL, the slower MODI FORM is. With 10 tables all open EXCL, it is veeerrrrryyy slow.

I don't know what your problem is exactly, of course, but I certainly found a way to reproduce the performance problem, just as you describe it.

Try it, and you will believe me.