I know that 'thank you' replies aren't much welcomed (I seem to remember a few nasty comments a while back), but I have to THANK YOU tremendously. It's the computer's RAM! I can't believe I didn't think of it (well, actually, it's not that hard to think I could have missed it). The files are taking only 5 seconds each (thus far). You saved me from (more) countless headaches! It seemed the slower my programs were going the faster I was getting depressed.