yep, upgraded to 1:2.3.1-2~bpo40+1, which seems to fix the problem, ie I could open r/w files on cifs mounts, whether I use 'norl' or not. thanks -- paolo GPG/PGP id:0x3A47DE45 - B5F9 AAA0 44BD 2B63 81E0 971F C6C0 0B87 3A47 DE45 - 9/11: the outrageous deception and ongoing coverup: http://911review.org -