>>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?

Yep exactly the same...