Hi, thanks for your reply.

the select query shows all my db's tht i have on the server, it does not display the distributor.

The account is a domain account. I've checked with Networks that it has full access rights to the correct path and publisher etc.

I've got replication setup on another server using the same account and its working fine for months. if i deleted these two files on the new server i am trying to set the replication will this pose any issues?

thanks for your help.