Deleting anchor point, deletes entire path

Need a solution...when I create a path with the pen tool I am unable to delete anchor points without deleting the entire path. Using the Pen tool + option reveals the white arrow (Direct Selection Tool) - I click and drag a box around the desired anchor point - the selected point is then black - all other points along the path are not filled with black - hence they are not selected - I hit the delete button - instead of the single selected point being deleted, the path is deleted. In the past I would have to quit and reboot PS to clear the problem - that fix is no longer working.
Any suggestions. Thanks.
CS4
Mac 10.6.4
4GB RAM

Had another look at this and I will try to be as brief as possible.
I forgot to point out in my first comment that I had auto add/delete points selected and with that selected the pen tool autmatically shows the delete point tool when the tool is over a point. Clicking would then remove the point and the path direction will be modified. It is not possible to remove a point from a bezier path without modifying the paths direction, or to remove an end point from a path, this is the mathmatical law involved. If you need a gap in the path, place a new point either side of the required gap the delete the path between them. T modify the end of a path, ie. shorten it, you will still need to place a point where you desire the path to end. If as you suggest the whole path is deleted I can only imagine you may be accidentaly double deleting, as the whole of the path becomes selected when you have deleted a point and a second click will delete the rest of the path.
I have tried to reproduce your problem and so this is what i can come up with. I have been using Adobe Illustrator an Photoshop since 1990 and I have not come across this before.
Hope you find a solution as i do appreciate the frustration it can cause.
Mac Pro 2 x 2.8 GHz Quad Core, OSX 10.5.8, 6 GB Nvidia 8800GT, PS CS5.
Regards

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