just to say ive updated to 5.5 and tried a total clearout of all vsig files from my pc and the reinstall etc making sure i am using a fresh database etc from the machine and still get these errors so i will try a serial connection next .I can download my patches from the h8000 fine into vsig but if i try and send them back even unaltered i get the same errors so its a bit baffling.Hoping serial connection will help.