“Connectivity Error” on Mail Merge doc.

When trying to open the data source of a merge doc. (a dBase file) I get a message:

ODBC Error:[Microsoft][ODBC dBase driver]
The database engine could not lock the table ‘filename#dbf’because it is already in use by another person or process. Sql State: S1000
Return Code: SQL_ERROR

Other computers can open the merge doc. and perform the merge fine. All have Word 97, SR-2 and MDAC 2.5. I see no differences in the ODBC settings. When Word opens the .doc file it also opensthe .dbf for a Write but does not lock the file. Word does not release the resource when closing either. Any idea what’s going on?

Thanks for the help.