could you just do a plain-old file scan and parse the records out ? like this:

if open(1,"c:\test.dat") = 0
 $line = readline(1)
 while @error=0
  if $line
   select
    case instr($line,"Manufacturer:")
     $mfr = substr($line,instr($line,"'")+1)
     $mfr = substr($mfr,1,len($mfr)-1)
     ?"mfr=" $mfr
    case instr($line,"Product Name:")
     $prd = substr($line,instr($line,"'")+1)
     $prd = substr($prd,1,len($prd)-1)
     ?"prd=" $prd
    case instr($line,"Serial Number:")
     $sn = substr($line,instr($line,"'")+1)
     $sn = substr($sn,1,len($sn)-1)
     ?"sn=" $sn
    case 1
   endselect
  endif
 $line=readline(1)
 loop
 $=close(1)
endif

-Shawn

[ 12 December 2001: Message edited by: Shawn ]