Thanks htw, you prompted some deeper thinking
Doubtless you know, but all I can think of is to repeat what you are saying. Making sure you use explorer to take ownership (recursively) of the EQ root folder/files, then adding specific ACL for your username with Full Control (recursively), and verifying you can edit charname_servername.ini file(s) in your EQ dir (try with notepad as the user, add a space or something, save). You could also try removing it and let it be created.
You don't have the EQ folder in program files / pf86 do you? You can set up ownership and perms in there, but it's not worth the windows hassle for most users, if so, I'd move it.
Good luck.
htw
Thank you htw for your thoughts, you were 1 the ones I most hoped to hear from. Everquest is located on D: as in D:\Games\Everquest. MQ2 is also a sub off of D:\Games. Keeps everything away from windows usually. I leave it alone unless it screws w/me. I'm generally a very orderly & consistent PC'er. IBM/MS DOS drummed that in long ago.
~Just thought of something, I usually have NP++ running while playing. Started that @ when I began playing EQ. Made more sense then multi occurrences of notepad running (I write even worse then I type, can't read my own handwritten notes a day much less maybe wks./yrs later). And the stroke didn't help that any either. Yep that reduced me to 1-handed pecking. EQ always required lots of notes and things to remember. And MQ doubled all that, hehe. Nowadays I use Excel for all that (very orderly & holds everything, even links and pictures, easy to search too. I finally just after the stroke trashed all my old notes/maps/etc. Was shocked how much there was. I had more in notes then many even know about EQ. I thank God EQ fan-sites came along.
~You know how NP++ will auto-reopen last used/open files? Don't think EQ somehow takes exception to that do you? I don't mean anything is unsaved or actively being edited. LOL -- I'm betting that's it, but I'll test it out & prove it thru.
Think I'm gonna try these in order:
1) Out of Game-Using Notepad to edit the files (like you suggested).
Successful
2) Make sure all other apps with file or drive access are closed. Check
3) In Game-Repeat #1
Successful
4) Set up a active real-time monitor on the files. (when
does EQ update?) I never needed to know before I guess.
I did this, but not needed, EQ is now updating fine as normal. I think it was Win10 f**k'in w/me, write protecting files. I did have to fix that 2-3 times.
5) Backup/Move my files. Cross fingers & hope EQ recreates correctly.
6) Cut my irritation and move on to something else. Invested way too much time & $ in this damn game anyway.
Till acct. expires I'll continue to drop by time to time & see what's new. Old habits hard to break for an old man. Besides I'm one of those always hopeful types ie; maybe it'll pop, drop item next time, Lol.
I sincerely appreciate your knowledge and intelligent views. You ARE my kind of people.
About to lose my mind, I've spent hours and hours setting up my spells and hotkeys. Over and over. I get it all just right. If I zone or log/change chars. When I come back its all gone. Blank hotbars, no saved spells sets. I'm not getting any error msgs. And I've verified I own/have access to the whole folder. No +R, +S. I'm baffled, serious all out of ideas. Oh and it's happening to all chars. I've honestly spent 3 days/nights. With zero playtime. Thanks for any help/ideas! Not weird enough, the files DO have a updated/current date/time stamp, just like if a file is modified, go figure. Help 
