a solution would be:

a) SET CONFIRM OFF
This way you don't get that system wait window. Maybe only do so in the gotfocus event and put it back ON in the lostfocus event.
b) Validate the date yourself in the valid event of the textbox.
Untested code:

if empty(ctod(this.text)) or isnull(ctod(this.text))
   messagebox("wrong date entered!",16,"Input Error")
   return 0 && stay in the textbox
endif
return 1 && tab to the next control

Bye, Olaf.