httpd.conf file could not be opened

Hi,
 
I am trying to configure my own Apache 2.2 server but keep receiving:
 
httpd.conf file could not be opened
 
when creating a new domain. The same httpd.conf works fine under /etc/http/conf (default RPM install) but not in my directory of /ecomm/web/servers/conf.
 
Bizarely, a backup is taken of the file and the original removed. Can anyone explain whats happening here?
 
Thanks
 
Barry