Bob, try the following. create a new user johnsmith. then; ' chmod -c -R 777 /home/johnsmith ' see if johnsmith can login. if johnsmith can not login look in /messages log and see what the exact error is. Also I may haved missed? what version is the ldap server and is your el5 x86 or _x64? let us know your finding,please. Take Care, Barry Cisna