Remove Anchor Tool error

[GreyBox]

I'm using Illustrator v8 (on Mac OS9.6) and having problems with removing anchor points on a path.

I've done this before with no problems, but this time every time I click on the anchor point with the pen-minus tool I get the error message:
"Can't delete the anchor point. Please use the delete anchor point tool on a anchor point of a path."

I've checked that I'm on the right layer and the word anchor appears as I hover the cursor near the point, so it seems to be successfully selecting. Snap to grid is deselected. And I've tried zooming in and clicking at various positions near the anchor point.

What else could be wrong?

TAI, Greybox

 

[jmgalvin]

Have you locked anything or possibly the path is not the topmost object?

 

[itchybug]

is it a mesh?

is it a raster image?

is there a direction handle directly on top of the anchor?