>The file: "C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 9\Paint Shop Pro 9.exe" defnitely exists on my PC.
>
>This returns TRUE as expected:
>FILE("C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 9\Paint Shop Pro 9.exe")
>
>This is the short file name for the file: "C:\PROGRA~1\JASCSO~1\PAINTS~2\PAINTS~1.EXE"
>When I try to RUN &cShortFileSpec, it works.
>If I do DIR "C:\PROGRA~1\JASCSO~1\PAINTS~2\PAINTS~1.EXE", it shows
>... but FILE("C:\PROGRA~1\JASCSO~1\PAINTS~2\PAINTS~1.EXE") returns FALSE!!!!! File is neither SYSTEM nor HIDDEN.

Is there any particular reason to use the short, rather than the long file name?

You might also consider using ADIR(), which avoids FILE()'s "searches the PATH" "feature".