Washington, July 08: Massachusetts is investigating whether Microsoft Corp. Retaliated against a computer maker for promoting a rival operating system, a possible violation of the company's landmark settlement with the bush administration and 18 other states. Lawyers for the state told the judge in the antitrust case that they were investigating other complaints Microsoft said it was complying fully with the settlement as the company claims.

In a court filing made public yesterday, Massachusetts said that none of the allegations had been resolved and it would ``move forward on an enforcement path should its investigations identify provable violations.''

Massachusetts is the only state that has not settled its antitrust claims against the software giant. Its lawyers did not specify which computer maker might have suffered retaliation for promoting Linux software. Companies promoting Linux in varying ways have included IBM, Dell Computer Corp. and Sony Corp. Each of the allegations against Microsoft was based on a complaint or investigative tip, state lawyers wrote.

Microsoft denied it was violating the agreement. ``We are complying fully with all terms of the decree and are working with the appropriate authorities to ensure that this consent decree is implemented,'' spokesman Jim Desler said.

Massachusetts has argued previously that the government's antitrust settlement was profoundly flawed. It has asked a federal appeals court to instruct the trial judge to impose tougher sanctions than those included in the settlement the judge approved. Bureau Report