nope that didn't work. substituting "Del \\server\adlogs\log_dc1\$file" for "DEL $file" didn't work because $file IS equal to \\server\adlogs\log_dc1\realfilename.log. The substitution reulted in "\\server\adlogs\log_dc1\\server\adlogs\log_dc1\realfilename.log which doesn't exist.

Kent - I'll try your method now, altho I'll have to figure out how to remove the european change, which isn't needed.
THANKS ALL