>The watch window of the debugger states that the file exists
>The trace window of the debugger on the line of code that tests for the existance fails
>
>

>* trace window
>if file(xFile)  && Fails
>
>* watch window (at the same time)
>file(xFile)     && returns .T.
>

>
>
>So VFP cant agree with itself on this ???
>
>BTW the value of xFile is a UNC path to a server share and file such as:
>"\\Server_ii\MIS\MIS\Shared\Images\EmployeePics\_235\300x350.jpg"
>
>
>Thanks !

That IS strange. All I can think is that somehow the two windows are running in different contexts.

I assume you've confirmed that the values of xFile are exactly the same in both windows? i.e. put "xfile" as a watch, and hover over "xfile" in the Trace window?