Miguel: You nailed it http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/eek.gif

The culprit was "1-click Answers" (see Answers.com), which is triggered by alt-click.

Thank you SO much. I guess I was not seeing the forest for the trees. When I read your suggestion the light came on immediately! I sure hope this little incident will help others. Once I exited that proggy, everything works in Xara as advertised http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/mad.gif