>1) what is causing this
 
Your (backbone) LISTSERV being 6 month beyond everybody.
 
>2) is this a permanent situation for these LISTSERVs (until I serve them back
>   on)
 
Yes. Please note that the current version would never lock a LISTSERV
machine.
 
>3) whose problem is it
 
Yours, I guess, since you are the one getting the error messages.
Certainly not mine as the fix was out some 4 months ago, if I remember
correctly.
 
>4) how to solve the problem (if one exists)
 
Get someone to convince you that you should install the latest version
of the code. I have already tried, and gave up.
 
>I have had such eminent LISTSERVs as BITNIC, CEARN, HEARN, IRLEARN, and UGA all
>receiving the 'treatment'.
>
>Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
 
See above.
 
  Eric