longshot, but maybe you could try to add the computer-name to the vpp folder security: vpp-folder, properties, security, select object "computers" (default is off) and find your machine with the website, and add it to the list, like COMP123$. Note that this is just an idea :-)

And what happens if you add "Everyone" to the vpp, just as a test?

If it works with "Everyone" then I would do a installation with the Deployments center and add the path for the vpp. That way you will get the correct access rights set.

Hi guys

Thank you fro your suggestions, much appreciated.

The SAN has everyone permissions and I tried running the site through the deployment wizard.  It creates the VPP folders in the SAN which is a good sign.  When I start the site I get the following error when i use the Native path Provider:

The VirtualPathProvider configured to handle page files must return directories that implement IPageDirectory

Any ideas, I can't find anyone else who has had this error

Cheers, Paul

Hi all

In case anyone else has this problem it was the account I was running the application pool under.  I tried to impersonate the identity of the user in the web.config, to that of a user who has access, thinking that was adequate but it wasn't until I changed the account the app pool was running under that it worked correctly.  

Cheers, Paul