thanks for your reply. > > some recent root mail output that i would like some translation > > > 1040675 -rws--x--x 1 root wheel 252956 Sep 23 07:44:21 > > > 2005 /usr/X11R6/bin/xterm-static > Did you upgrade your X installation on September 23? i hesitate to use the term, but "Doh!" that'd be it. thanks.