bofh_of_oz,
I think this idea brings us closer to the problem.
If I do: system("start /b c:\\WINNT\\system32\\notepad.exe $File");
then notepad opens the file immediately.
If I use 'system("start /b $File");', then it takes 30 seconds before it even 'starts to open'.
Does this mean that there is a problem with the fileextention association or with the path?
Why is it working from the cmd prompt then?