I tried without file-codeing, and it still crashes, but only on the laptop. I recompiled with file coding and with debugging and error checking on, and got the following typescript... This happens when I try to `M-x customize-face default'. At the bottom is a typescript from running it under `gdb'. I will keep this binary handy, so let me know if you need me to peek at anything in it. Uhhmmm... it's seg faulting in `malloc()'. Here's the Installation file... "Is this using the included malloc, or the one in a possibly buggy libc?" Looks like it's using the glibc one, I think. YTMAWBK. dpkg --status libc6 shows: