I emerged KDE 3.0.1 on a clean install, and afterwards I cannot emerge anything else. this happened before, but I thought it was the media, so I did a sector check and it passed without errrors, did a low level format of the HDD, then reinstalled from scratch. I built the kernel, rebooted then emerged KDE 3.0.1 - including all the dependencies and such. It took a long time (>6 hours - I had to leave) and during that time I saw several errors, two of which were could not create /root/.kde/share/config [or config/share] could not create /root/.qt I saw these the first time too. How can root not be able to create a directory? Anyway, after this was done, the system behaved ok, I went into kde and it ran, and I could emerge --pretend stuff. Then I did a reboot, and tried to emerge --pretend stuff or emerge stuff and then I got this error: root # emerge emacs >>> Note: /etc/make.profile isn't available; an 'emerge sync' will probably fix this. !!! No profile directory; system mode unavailable. but, that isn't the real error: the file exists, the link is still valid, but the directory pointed to has an input/output error: lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 35 Jun 6 09:11 make.profile -> ../usr/portage/profiles/default-1.0 etc # cd /usr/portage/profiles/default-1.0 bash: cd: /usr/portage/profiles/default-1.0: Input/output error That isn't all. there are MANY directories with this same problem now... So basically, unless I can recover the files [I don't know how] my installation is stuck where it is. I can't emerge anymore. Here is the list of the problem directories [long]: stat app-editors/xemacs : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-editors/xemacs/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-editors/xemacs/files : Input/output error stat app-i18n/koffice-i18n-pt_BR : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-i18n/koffice-i18n-pt_BR/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-i18n/koffice-i18n-pt_BR/files : Input/output error stat app-misc/mouseremote : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-misc/mouseremote/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-misc/mouseremote/files : Input/output error stat app-misc/screen : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-misc/screen/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-misc/screen/files : Input/output error stat app-sci/magic : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-sci/magic/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-sci/magic/files : Input/output error stat app-shells/zsh : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-shells/zsh/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-shells/zsh/files : Input/output error stat app-text/hd2u : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-text/hd2u/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-text/hd2u/files : Input/output error stat app-text/remem : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-text/remem/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-text/remem/files : Input/output error stat dev-db/firebird : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "dev-db/firebird/files": Input/output error (2) stat dev-db/firebird/files : Input/output error stat dev-java/xerces/files : Input/output error stat dev-lang/python : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "dev-lang/python/files": Input/output error (2) stat dev-lang/python/files : Input/output error stat dev-libs/cpl-stratego/files : Input/output error stat dev-libs/libelf/files : Input/output error stat dev-libs/root/files : Input/output error stat dev-perl/Digest-SHA1 : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "dev-perl/Digest-SHA1/files": Input/output error (2) stat dev-perl/Digest-SHA1/files : Input/output error stat dev-python/SimpleParse : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "dev-python/SimpleParse/files": Input/output error (2) stat dev-python/SimpleParse/files : Input/output error stat dev-python/orbit-python/files : Input/output error stat dev-util/david/files : Input/output error stat dev-util/rhide/files : Input/output error stat dev-util/snavigator : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "dev-util/snavigator/files": Input/output error (2) stat dev-util/snavigator/files : Input/output error stat gnome-base/libbonoboui/files : Input/output error stat gnome-base/librsvg/files : Input/output error stat gnome-extra/libgnomecanvasmm : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "gnome-extra/libgnomecanvasmm/files": Input/output error (2) stat gnome-extra/libgnomecanvasmm/files : Input/output error stat gnome-extra/medusa/files : Input/output error stat media-gfx/gphoto : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-gfx/gphoto/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-gfx/gphoto/files : Input/output error stat media-gfx/propaganda/files : Input/output error stat media-gfx/xv : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-gfx/xv/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-gfx/xv/files : Input/output error stat media-libs/libdvdnav/files : Input/output error stat media-libs/libmikmod/files : Input/output error stat media-libs/libmovtar : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-libs/libmovtar/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-libs/libmovtar/files : Input/output error stat media-libs/libuta/files : Input/output error stat media-sound/easytag : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-sound/easytag/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-sound/easytag/files : Input/output error stat media-sound/id3/files : Input/output error stat media-sound/lilypond : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-sound/lilypond/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-sound/lilypond/files : Input/output error stat media-sound/xmms-dscope : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-sound/xmms-dscope/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-sound/xmms-dscope/files : Input/output error stat media-video/mplayer/files : Input/output error stat media-video/xine-d5d : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-video/xine-d5d/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-video/xine-d5d/files : Input/output error stat net-analyzer/geotrace : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-analyzer/geotrace/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-analyzer/geotrace/files : Input/output error stat net-analyzer/tcpstat : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-analyzer/tcpstat/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-analyzer/tcpstat/files : Input/output error stat net-ftp/vsftpd : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-ftp/vsftpd/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-ftp/vsftpd/files : Input/output error stat net-im/silc-client/files : Input/output error stat net-libs/libicq2000 : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-libs/libicq2000/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-libs/libicq2000/files : Input/output error stat net-mail/nbsmtp : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-mail/nbsmtp/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-mail/nbsmtp/files : Input/output error stat net-mail/nmh/files : Input/output error stat net-mail/postfix/files : Input/output error stat net-mail/qmail-autoresponder/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/dc-gui/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/djbdns : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-misc/djbdns/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-misc/djbdns/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/freeswan : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-misc/freeswan/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-misc/freeswan/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/hping/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/mutella : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-misc/mutella/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-misc/mutella/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/raccess/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/rdesktop : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-misc/rdesktop/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-misc/rdesktop/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/xfsamba : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-misc/xfsamba/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-misc/xfsamba/files : Input/output error stat net-print/kups : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-print/kups/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-print/kups/files : Input/output error stat net-www/apache/files/1.3.24/deb : Input/output error stat net-www/mod_mp3 : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-www/mod_mp3/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-www/mod_mp3/files : Input/output error stat net-www/netscape-plugger : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-www/netscape-plugger/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-www/netscape-plugger/files : Input/output error stat profiles/cdimage-sparc : Input/output error stat profiles/default-1.0 : Input/output error stat sys-apps/e2fsprogs : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/e2fsprogs/files": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/e2fsprogs/files : Input/output error stat sys-apps/mkisofs/files : Input/output error stat sys-apps/yard : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0 : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/etc": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/etc : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/pam.d": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/pam.d : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/root": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/root : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/kbd": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/kbd : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/sbin": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/sbin : Input/output error stat sys-libs/ncurses/files : Input/output error stat x11-libs/xforms : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-libs/xforms/files": Input/output error (2) stat x11-libs/xforms/files : Input/output error stat x11-misc/gkrellmitime : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-misc/gkrellmitime/files": Input/output error (2) stat x11-misc/gkrellmitime/files : Input/output error stat x11-misc/grun/files : Input/output error stat x11-misc/wmbatppc : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-misc/wmbatppc/files": Input/output error (2) stat x11-misc/wmbatppc/files : Input/output error stat x11-misc/xstroke : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-misc/xstroke/files": Input/output error (2) stat x11-misc/xstroke/files : Input/output error stat x11-wm/afterstep/files : Input/output error stat x11-wm/lwm/files : Input/output error stat x11-wm/sawfish-merlin : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files": Input/output error (2) stat x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish": Input/output error (2) stat x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish/lisp": Input/output error (2) stat x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish/lisp : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish/lisp/merlin": Input/output error (2) stat x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish/lisp/merlin : Input/output error stat app-editors/xemacs : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-editors/xemacs/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-editors/xemacs/files : Input/output error stat app-i18n/koffice-i18n-pt_BR : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-i18n/koffice-i18n-pt_BR/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-i18n/koffice-i18n-pt_BR/files : Input/output error stat app-misc/mouseremote : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-misc/mouseremote/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-misc/mouseremote/files : Input/output error stat app-misc/screen : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-misc/screen/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-misc/screen/files : Input/output error stat app-sci/magic : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-sci/magic/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-sci/magic/files : Input/output error stat app-shells/zsh : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-shells/zsh/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-shells/zsh/files : Input/output error stat app-text/hd2u : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-text/hd2u/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-text/hd2u/files : Input/output error stat app-text/remem : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "app-text/remem/files": Input/output error (2) stat app-text/remem/files : Input/output error stat dev-db/firebird : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "dev-db/firebird/files": Input/output error (2) stat dev-db/firebird/files : Input/output error stat dev-java/xerces/files : Input/output error stat dev-lang/python : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "dev-lang/python/files": Input/output error (2) stat dev-lang/python/files : Input/output error stat dev-libs/cpl-stratego/files : Input/output error stat dev-libs/libelf/files : Input/output error stat dev-libs/root/files : Input/output error stat dev-perl/Digest-SHA1 : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "dev-perl/Digest-SHA1/files": Input/output error (2) stat dev-perl/Digest-SHA1/files : Input/output error stat dev-python/SimpleParse : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "dev-python/SimpleParse/files": Input/output error (2) stat dev-python/SimpleParse/files : Input/output error stat dev-python/orbit-python/files : Input/output error stat dev-util/david/files : Input/output error stat dev-util/rhide/files : Input/output error stat dev-util/snavigator : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "dev-util/snavigator/files": Input/output error (2) stat dev-util/snavigator/files : Input/output error stat gnome-base/libbonoboui/files : Input/output error stat gnome-base/librsvg/files : Input/output error stat gnome-extra/libgnomecanvasmm : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "gnome-extra/libgnomecanvasmm/files": Input/output error (2) stat gnome-extra/libgnomecanvasmm/files : Input/output error stat gnome-extra/medusa/files : Input/output error stat media-gfx/gphoto : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-gfx/gphoto/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-gfx/gphoto/files : Input/output error stat media-gfx/propaganda/files : Input/output error stat media-gfx/xv : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-gfx/xv/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-gfx/xv/files : Input/output error stat media-libs/libdvdnav/files : Input/output error stat media-libs/libmikmod/files : Input/output error stat media-libs/libmovtar : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-libs/libmovtar/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-libs/libmovtar/files : Input/output error stat media-libs/libuta/files : Input/output error stat media-sound/easytag : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-sound/easytag/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-sound/easytag/files : Input/output error stat media-sound/id3/files : Input/output error stat media-sound/lilypond : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-sound/lilypond/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-sound/lilypond/files : Input/output error stat media-sound/xmms-dscope : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-sound/xmms-dscope/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-sound/xmms-dscope/files : Input/output error stat media-video/mplayer/files : Input/output error stat media-video/xine-d5d : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "media-video/xine-d5d/files": Input/output error (2) stat media-video/xine-d5d/files : Input/output error stat net-analyzer/geotrace : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-analyzer/geotrace/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-analyzer/geotrace/files : Input/output error stat net-analyzer/tcpstat : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-analyzer/tcpstat/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-analyzer/tcpstat/files : Input/output error stat net-ftp/vsftpd : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-ftp/vsftpd/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-ftp/vsftpd/files : Input/output error stat net-im/silc-client/files : Input/output error stat net-libs/libicq2000 : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-libs/libicq2000/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-libs/libicq2000/files : Input/output error stat net-mail/nbsmtp : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-mail/nbsmtp/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-mail/nbsmtp/files : Input/output error stat net-mail/nmh/files : Input/output error stat net-mail/postfix/files : Input/output error stat net-mail/qmail-autoresponder/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/dc-gui/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/djbdns : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-misc/djbdns/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-misc/djbdns/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/freeswan : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-misc/freeswan/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-misc/freeswan/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/hping/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/mutella : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-misc/mutella/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-misc/mutella/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/raccess/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/rdesktop : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-misc/rdesktop/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-misc/rdesktop/files : Input/output error stat net-misc/xfsamba : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-misc/xfsamba/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-misc/xfsamba/files : Input/output error stat net-print/kups : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-print/kups/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-print/kups/files : Input/output error stat net-www/apache/files/1.3.24/deb : Input/output error stat net-www/mod_mp3 : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-www/mod_mp3/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-www/mod_mp3/files : Input/output error stat net-www/netscape-plugger : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "net-www/netscape-plugger/files": Input/output error (2) stat net-www/netscape-plugger/files : Input/output error stat profiles/cdimage-sparc : Input/output error stat profiles/default-1.0 : Input/output error stat sys-apps/e2fsprogs : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/e2fsprogs/files": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/e2fsprogs/files : Input/output error stat sys-apps/mkisofs/files : Input/output error stat sys-apps/yard : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0 : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/etc": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/etc : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/pam.d": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/pam.d : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/root": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/etc/Replacements/root : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/kbd": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/kbd : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/sbin": Input/output error (2) stat sys-apps/yard/files/yard-2.0/sbin : Input/output error stat sys-libs/ncurses/files : Input/output error stat x11-libs/xforms : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-libs/xforms/files": Input/output error (2) stat x11-libs/xforms/files : Input/output error stat x11-misc/gkrellmitime : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-misc/gkrellmitime/files": Input/output error (2) stat x11-misc/gkrellmitime/files : Input/output error stat x11-misc/grun/files : Input/output error stat x11-misc/wmbatppc : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-misc/wmbatppc/files": Input/output error (2) stat x11-misc/wmbatppc/files : Input/output error stat x11-misc/xstroke : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-misc/xstroke/files": Input/output error (2) stat x11-misc/xstroke/files : Input/output error stat x11-wm/afterstep/files : Input/output error stat x11-wm/lwm/files : Input/output error stat x11-wm/sawfish-merlin : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files": Input/output error (2) stat x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish": Input/output error (2) stat x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish/lisp": Input/output error (2) stat x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish/lisp : Input/output error rsync: recv_generator: mkdir "x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish/lisp/merlin": Input/output error (2) stat x11-wm/sawfish-merlin/files/sawfish/lisp/merlin : Input/output error rsync error: partial transfer (code 23) at main.c(892) Thanks, Jeff
the permission denied on /root/ errors are being looked at already ... they have been mentioned in other bug posting ... the reason its permission denied is because the emerge is being run inside the sandbox module which doesnt allow access to files outside of the temp portage dir until the install. as for the I/O errors, its either bad media or bad choice of fs ... what fs you using and what kernel ? did you try doing an fsck on the partitions ?
I am running kernel 2.4.19-r1 this time, last time it was 2.4.19-r5, and both exhibited the same problems. fsck produces errors after the reboot, but doesn't find anything before that. The hard drive manufacturer sector check program didn't find any problems with the media when checked after the I/O errors started. The second [and current] event occurred after a low level format of the hard drive. The drive is currently "manufacturer certified" as defined by the hard drive maintenance utility checks. both my / and /usr partitions are ext3, with /boot being ext2.
I'm sorry, I have no time atm to handle bugs I don't "specialize" in, i.e. kde etc. I don't think emerging kde caused this, whatever it is, and I don't have any immediate ideas about it. It would only gather dust here, someone please assign it elsewhere.
syx, wanna analyse this? it's a puzzling one
Hi, Thanks for helping with this problem. I did some further testing, and discovered that the I/O errors can be created without KDE, so now it probably isn't a bug in KDE. I did a third install and ended up with I/O errors without even installing KDE. I installed gnome, and then to secure the desktop, I installed xlockmore. I noticed that at certain times xlock would 'unlock' with no operator input, and that is usually when I noticed the I/O errors. I don't know what happens to make xlock unlock, but on this 4th install, I have both gnome and kde and haven't used any locking programs yet, and haven't emerged xlockmore yet, and there are no I/O errors. Sorry for the misdirected debug. I don't know for sure if it is truly xlock either, but I will keep looking for errors. Jeff
Jeff, I can't really see how this can be a bug in anything but your hardware. Setting status to WORKSFORME, re-opening if anyone can reproduce it. Thanks.