Why don't you guys try reconfiguring with --with-dlmalloc=no? That should definitely make this crash go away [just this very specific one, though]. If you still get crashes, try some other changes to the allocator configure options. If not, and this solution works just fine, can we come up with some reason [or at least, some configuration situations] where this Doug Lea stuff is failing and make it not the default for them? [or as a more extreme step, not the default for any?] Didier Verna wrote: -- Ben In order to save my hands, I am cutting back on my mail. I also write as succinctly as possible -- please don't be offended. If you send me mail, you _will_ get a response, but please be patient, especially for XEmacs-related mail. If you need an immediate response and it is not apparent in your message, please say so. Thanks for your understanding. See also http://www.666.com/ben/chronic-pain/