As a final statement, the previous code works fine as long as the code listed below, located in the StatesRule.vb is not activated.

    Public Overrides Function CheckRulesHook(ByVal ds As DataSet, ByVal tableName As String) As Boolean
        Me.ValidateStateName(Me.DataRow("cName"))
        Me.ValidateStateAbbreviation(Me.DataRow("cAbbreviation"))
        Return Me.ErrorProviderBrokenRuleCount = 0

    End Function

It looks like a data set is being passed into this method, why do you use a Me.DataRow("cName") reference instead of passing on the values present in the "ByVal ds As DataSet" parameter. Probably showing my ignorance with that question but soooooo what ;-).

Later and thanks,

CT