I forgot to mention i need to open the original in exclusive mode (so i can delete and pack). I have been 'stuck' in this, so i may be missing the forest for the trees :)

I am doing everything with variables...here's my code:

if not used(m.tcOrigTable)
use &tcOrigTable in 0 excl
endif

if not used(m.lcArchTableAlias)
use &lcArchTable alias &lcArchTableAlias in 0
endif

The variables for the tables include the UNC path.

Thank you kindly.