Android Question [SOLVED AND EMBARRASSED] Error description: Input string was not in a correct format.

Dim outFILE As String = "OUTfile.txt"  ' -> declared in Create'

  If (!(File.Exists(File.DirAssets, outFILE)) Then  '< < < <  this is the offending line shown in the IDE / code highlight doesn't seem to work
        ''' writing
        '' 'Private downWRT As TextWriter -> declared in Globals
        downWRT.Initialize(File.OpenOutput(File.DirRootExternal, outFILE, False))
        downWRT.Write(DateTime.Now)
        downWRT.Close
    else if
            ''' reading
        ''' Private upRD TextReader -> declared in Globals
        upRD.Initialize(File.OpenInput(File.DirRootExternal, outFILE))

        Private line As String
            line = upRD.ReadLine
                Do While line <> Null
                    line = upRD.ReadLine
                    Log(line)
                Loop
            upRD.Close
    End If