The statements in the set-auto-mode function are wrapped entirely in a save-excursion which overrides any other major-mode hooks from setting point location (e.g. post-mode setting point after email headers). In comparison, the set-mode-function in emacs 20 is broken into two sections, one wrapped in save-excursion for locating the proper mode, and a non-wrapped section for executing the modes which allows hooks to set the point. In the emacs files.el look for: ;; If we found modes to use, invoke them now, ;; outside the save-excursion. to see the example. Today is my first day working with emacs lisp, so I don't trust my patching ability. -JSP