Further info: when running sudo -H /usr/sbin/chroot buildenv/potato /bin/bash (su to root then chroot to the ~buildenv/potato dir, then run ~buildenv/potato/bin/bash ) bash and some other common utilities seg fault, but a few run. ldd bash shows exactly the same libraries for both copies.(?) I guess I should try some older kernels? John -- John Fisher at Znyx Networks Santa Barbara office