The only time that I can recall when I do a ps(1) and get no processes is when the current copy of /vmunix is not the same as the one the system was booted with. Hope this is the answer. Brett Chapman G.E. Medical Systems (414) 548-5156 uunet!{steinmetz,crdgw1}!gemed!chapmanB sun!sunbrew!gemed!chapmanB