Index: common.scm
==================================================================
--- common.scm
+++ common.scm
@@ -43,14 +43,18 @@
 (define home (getenv "HOME"))
 (define user (getenv "USER"))
 
 ;; GLOBAL GLETCHES
 (define *db-keys* #f)
-(define *configinfo* #f)
-(define *configdat*  #f)
-(define *toppath*    #f)
+
+(define *configinfo*   #f)   ;; raw results from setup, includes toppath and table from megatest.config
+(define *runconfigdat* #f)   ;; run configs data
+(define *configdat*    #f)   ;; megatest.config data
+(define *configstatus* #f)   ;; status of data; 'fulldata : all processing done, #f : no data yet, 'partialdata : partial read done
+(define *toppath*      #f)
 (define *already-seen-runconfig-info* #f)
+
 (define *waiting-queue*     (make-hash-table))
 (define *test-meta-updated* (make-hash-table))
 (define *globalexitstatus*  0) ;; attempt to work around possible thread issues
 (define *passnum*           0) ;; when running track calls to run-tests or similar
 (define *write-frequency*   (make-hash-table)) ;; run-id => (vector (current-seconds) 0))
@@ -447,36 +451,42 @@
 			       rtestpatt)
 			  args-testpatt)))
     (if rtestpatt (debug:print-info 0 "TESTPATT from runconfigs: " rtestpatt))
     testpatt))
 
+(define (common:get-linktree)
+  (or (getenv "MT_LINKTREE")
+      (if *configdat*
+	  (configf:lookup *configdat* "setup" "linktree"))))
+
 (define (common:args-get-runname)
-  (or (args:get-arg "-runname")
-      (args:get-arg ":runname")
-      (getenv "MT_RUNNAME")))
+  (let ((res (or (args:get-arg "-runname")
+		 (args:get-arg ":runname")
+		 (getenv "MT_RUNNAME"))))
+    ;; (if res (set-environment-variable "MT_RUNNAME" res)) ;; not sure if this is a good idea. side effect and all ...
+    res))
 
 (define (common:args-get-target #!key (split #f))
-  (let* ((keys    (keys:config-get-fields *configdat*))
+  (let* ((keys    (if *configdat* (keys:config-get-fields *configdat*) '()))
 	 (numkeys (length keys))
-	 (target  (if (args:get-arg "-reqtarg")
-		      (args:get-arg "-reqtarg")
-		      (if (args:get-arg "-target")
-			  (args:get-arg "-target")
-			  (getenv "MT_TARGET"))))
+	 (target  (or (args:get-arg "-reqtarg")
+		      (args:get-arg "-target")
+		      (getenv "MT_TARGET")))
 	 (tlist   (if target (string-split target "/" #t) '()))
 	 (valid   (if target
-		      (and (not (null? tlist))
-			   (eq? numkeys (length tlist))
-			   (null? (filter string-null? tlist)))
+		      (or (null? keys) ;; probably don't know our keys yet
+			  (and (not (null? tlist))
+			       (eq? numkeys (length tlist))
+			       (null? (filter string-null? tlist))))
 		      #f)))
     (if valid
 	(if split
 	    tlist
 	    target)
 	(if target
 	    (begin
-	      (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Invalid target, spaces or blanks not allowed \"" target "\", target should be: " (string-intersperse keys "/"))
+	      (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Invalid target, spaces or blanks not allowed \"" target "\", target should be: " (string-intersperse keys "/") ", have " tlist " for elements")
 	      #f)
 	    #f))))
 
 ;;======================================================================
 ;; M I S C   L I S T S

Index: configf.scm
==================================================================
--- configf.scm
+++ configf.scm
@@ -99,10 +99,12 @@
 		;; (print "fullcmd=" fullcmd)
 		(handle-exceptions
 		 exn
 		 (begin
 		   (debug:print 0 "WARNING: failed to process config input \"" l "\"")
+		   (debug:print 0 " message: " ((condition-property-accessor 'exn 'message) exn))
+		   ;; (print "exn=" (condition->list exn))
 		   (set! result (conc "#{( " cmdtype ") " cmd"}")))
 		 (if (or allow-system
 			 (not (member cmdtype '("system" "shell"))))
 		     (with-input-from-string fullcmd
 		       (lambda ()
@@ -159,11 +161,18 @@
 			(configf:process-line inl ht allow-processing)))))
 	    (if (and (string? res)
 		     (not (equal? (hash-table-ref/default settings "trim-trailing-spaces" "no") "no")))
 		(string-substitute "\\s+$" "" res)
 		res))))))
-      
+  
+(define (calc-allow-system allow-system section sections)
+  (if sections
+      (and (or (equal? "default" section)
+	       (member section sections))
+	   allow-system) ;; account for sections and return allow-system as it might be a symbol such as return-strings
+      allow-system))
+    
 ;; read a config file, returns hash table of alists
 
 ;; read a config file, returns hash table of alists
 ;; adds to ht if given (must be #f otherwise)
 ;; envion-patt is a regex spec that identifies sections that will be eval'd
@@ -182,11 +191,11 @@
       (let ((inp        (open-input-file path))
 	    (res        (if (not ht)(make-hash-table) ht))
 	    (metapath   (if (or (debug:debug-mode 9)
 				keep-filenames)
 			    path #f)))
-	(let loop ((inl               (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings)) ;; (read-line inp))
+	(let loop ((inl               (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section sections) settings)) ;; (read-line inp))
 		   (curr-section-name (if curr-section curr-section "default"))
 		   (var-flag #f);; turn on for key-var-pr and cont-ln-rx, turn off elsewhere
 		   (lead     #f))
 	  (debug:print-info 8 "curr-section-name: " curr-section-name " var-flag: " var-flag "\n   inl: \"" inl "\"")
 	  (if (eof-object? inl) 
@@ -195,15 +204,15 @@
 		(hash-table-delete! res "") ;; we are using "" as a dumping ground and must remove it before returning the ht
 		(debug:print 9 "END: " path)
 		res)
 	      (regex-case 
 	       inl 
-	       (configf:comment-rx _                  (loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name #f #f))
-	       (configf:blank-l-rx _                  (loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name #f #f))
+	       (configf:comment-rx _                  (loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name #f #f))
+	       (configf:blank-l-rx _                  (loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name #f #f))
 	       (configf:settings   ( x setting val  ) (begin
 							(hash-table-set! settings setting val)
-							(loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name #f #f)))
+							(loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name #f #f)))
 	       (configf:include-rx ( x include-file ) (let* ((curr-conf-dir (pathname-directory path))
 							     (full-conf     (if (absolute-pathname? include-file)
 										include-file
 										(nice-path 
 										 (conc (if curr-conf-dir
@@ -214,31 +223,31 @@
 							    (begin
 							      ;; (push-directory conf-dir)
 							      (debug:print 9 "Including: " full-conf)
 							      (read-config full-conf res allow-system environ-patt: environ-patt curr-section: curr-section-name sections: sections settings: settings keep-filenames: keep-filenames)
 							      ;; (pop-directory)
-							      (loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name #f #f))
+							      (loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name #f #f))
 							    (begin
 							      (debug:print '(2 9) "INFO: include file " include-file " not found (called from " path ")")
 							      (debug:print 2 "        " full-conf)
-							      (loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name #f #f)))))
+							      (loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name #f #f)))))
 	       (configf:section-rx ( x section-name ) (begin
 							;; call post-section-procs
 							(for-each 
 							 (lambda (dat)
 							   (let ((patt (car dat))
 								 (proc (cdr dat)))
 							     (if (string-match patt curr-section-name)
 								 (proc curr-section-name section-name res path))))
 							 post-section-procs)
-							(loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings)
+							(loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings)
 							      ;; if we have the sections list then force all settings into "" and delete it later?
 							      (if (or (not sections) 
 								      (member section-name sections))
 								  section-name "") ;; stick everything into ""
 							      #f #f)))
-	       (configf:key-sys-pr ( x key cmd      ) (if allow-system
+	       (configf:key-sys-pr ( x key cmd      ) (if (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections)
 							  (let ((alist    (hash-table-ref/default res curr-section-name '()))
 								(val-proc (lambda ()
 									    (let* ((start-time (current-seconds))
 										   (cmdres     (process:cmd-run->list cmd))
 										   (delta      (- (current-seconds) start-time))
@@ -256,17 +265,17 @@
 										  ""
 										  (string-intersperse res " "))))))
 							    (hash-table-set! res curr-section-name 
 									     (config:assoc-safe-add alist
 									   			    key 
-												    (case allow-system
+												    (case (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections)
 												      ((return-procs) val-proc)
 												      ((return-string) cmd)
 												      (else (val-proc)))
 												    metadata: metapath))
-							    (loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name #f #f))
-							  (loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name #f #f)))
+							    (loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name #f #f))
+							  (loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name #f #f)))
 	       (configf:key-val-pr ( x key unk1 val unk2 ) (let* ((alist   (hash-table-ref/default res curr-section-name '()))
 								  (envar   (and environ-patt (string-search (regexp environ-patt) curr-section-name)))
 								  (realval (if envar
 									       (config:eval-string-in-environment val)
 									       val)))
@@ -273,16 +282,16 @@
 							     (debug:print-info 6 "read-config env setting, envar: " envar " realval: " realval " val: " val " key: " key " curr-section-name: " curr-section-name)
 							     (if envar (safe-setenv key realval))
 							     (debug:print 10 "   setting: [" curr-section-name "] " key " = " val)
 							     (hash-table-set! res curr-section-name 
 									      (config:assoc-safe-add alist key realval metadata: metapath))
-							     (loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name key #f)))
+							     (loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name key #f)))
 	       (configf:key-no-val ( x key val)             (let* ((alist   (hash-table-ref/default res curr-section-name '())))
 							      (debug:print 10 "   setting: [" curr-section-name "] " key " = #t")
 							      (hash-table-set! res curr-section-name 
 									       (config:assoc-safe-add alist key #t metadata: metapath))
-							      (loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name key #f)))
+							      (loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name key #f)))
 	       ;; if a continued line
 	       (configf:cont-ln-rx ( x whsp val     ) (let ((alist (hash-table-ref/default res curr-section-name '())))
 						(if var-flag             ;; if set to a string then we have a continued var
 						    (let ((newval (conc 
 								   (config-lookup res curr-section-name var-flag) "\n"
@@ -292,15 +301,15 @@
 								       "")
 								   val)))
 						      ;; (print "val: " val "\nnewval: \"" newval "\"\nvarflag: " var-flag)
 						      (hash-table-set! res curr-section-name 
 								       (config:assoc-safe-add alist var-flag newval metadata: metapath))
-						      (loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name var-flag (if lead lead whsp)))
-						    (loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name #f #f))))
+						      (loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name var-flag (if lead lead whsp)))
+						    (loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name #f #f))))
 	       (else (debug:print 0 "ERROR: problem parsing " path ",\n   \"" inl "\"")
 		     (set! var-flag #f)
-		     (loop (configf:read-line inp res allow-system settings) curr-section-name #f #f))))))))
+		     (loop (configf:read-line inp res (calc-allow-system allow-system curr-section-name sections) settings) curr-section-name #f #f))))))))
   
 ;; pathenvvar will set the named var to the path of the config
 (define (find-and-read-config fname #!key (environ-patt #f)(given-toppath #f)(pathenvvar #f))
   (let* ((curr-dir   (current-directory))
          (configinfo (find-config fname toppath: given-toppath))

Index: dashboard.scm
==================================================================
--- dashboard.scm
+++ dashboard.scm
@@ -81,11 +81,11 @@
 (if (args:get-arg "-h")
     (begin
       (print help)
       (exit)))
 
-(if (not (launch:setup-for-run))
+(if (not (launch:setup))
     (begin
       (print "Failed to find megatest.config, exiting") 
       (exit 1)))
 
 (define *useserver* (cond

Index: db.scm
==================================================================
--- db.scm
+++ db.scm
@@ -728,11 +728,11 @@
 ;;  'closeall     - close all opened dbs
 ;;
 ;;  run-ids: '(1 2 3 ...) or #f (for all)
 ;;
 (define (db:multi-db-sync run-ids . options)
-  (let* ((toppath  (launch:setup-for-run))
+  (let* ((toppath  (launch:setup))
 	 (dbstruct (if toppath (make-dbr:dbstruct path: toppath) #f))
 	 (mtdb     (if toppath (db:open-megatest-db)))
 	 (allow-cleanup (if run-ids #f #t))
 	 (run-ids  (if run-ids 
 		       run-ids

Index: launch.scm
==================================================================
--- launch.scm
+++ launch.scm
@@ -284,11 +284,11 @@
 	  
 	  (debug:print 2 "Exectuing " test-name " (id: " test-id ") on " (get-host-name))
 	  (set! keys       (rmt:get-keys))
 	  ;; (runs:set-megatest-env-vars run-id inkeys: keys inkeyvals: keyvals) ;; these may be needed by the launching process
 	  ;; one of these is defunct/redundant ...
-	  (if (not (launch:setup-for-run force: #t))
+	  (if (not (launch:setup force: #t))
 	      (begin
 		(debug:print 0 "Failed to setup, exiting") 
 		;; (sqlite3:finalize! db)
 		;; (sqlite3:finalize! tdb)
 		(exit 1)))
@@ -437,22 +437,18 @@
 							    (hash-table-ref/default testconfig "ezsteps" '())
 							    #f)))
 				       (if testconfig
 					   (hash-table-set! *testconfigs* test-name testconfig) ;; cached for lazy reads later ...
 					   (begin
-					     ;; got here but there are race condiitions - re-do all setup and try one more time
-					     (if (launch:setup-for-run)
-						 (begin
-						   (launch:cache-config)
-						   (set! testconfig (full-runconfigs-read))) ;; redunantly redundant, but does it resolve the race?
+					     (launch:setup)
 					     (debug:print 0 "WARNING: no testconfig found for " test-name " in search path:\n  "
-							  (string-intersperse (tests:get-tests-search-path *configdat*) "\n  ")))))
+							  (string-intersperse (tests:get-tests-search-path *configdat*) "\n  "))))
 				       ;; after all that, still no testconfig? Time to abort
 				       (if (not testconfig)
 					   (begin
 					     (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Failed to resolve megatest.config, runconfigs.config and testconfig issues. Giving up now")
-					     (exit 1)))s
+					     (exit 1)))
 				       (if (not (file-exists? ".ezsteps"))(create-directory ".ezsteps"))
 				       ;; if ezsteps was defined then we are sure to have at least one step but check anyway
 				       (if (not (> (length ezstepslst) 0))
 					   (debug:print 0 "ERROR: ezsteps defined but ezstepslst is zero length")
 					   (let loop ((ezstep (car ezstepslst))
@@ -595,13 +591,47 @@
 	    (mutex-unlock! m)
 	    (debug:print 2 "Output from running " fullrunscript ", pid " (launch:einf-pid exit-info) " in work area " 
 			 work-area ":\n====\n exit code " (launch:einf-exit-code exit-info) "\n" "====\n")
 	    (if (not (launch:einf-exit-status exit-info))
 		(exit 4)))))))
+
+(define (launch:cache-config)
+  ;; if we have a linktree and -runtests and -target and the directory exists dump the config
+  ;; to megatest-(current-seconds).cfg and symlink it to megatest.cfg
+  (if (and *configdat* 
+	   (or (args:get-arg "-run")
+	       (args:get-arg "-runtests")
+	       (args:get-arg "-execute")))
+      (let* ((linktree (get-environment-variable "MT_LINKTREE"))
+	     (target   (common:args-get-target))
+	     (runname  (or (args:get-arg "-runname")
+			   (args:get-arg ":runname")
+			   (getenv "MT_RUNNAME")))
+	     (fulldir  (conc linktree "/"
+			     target "/"
+			     runname)))
+	(debug:print-info 0 "Have -runtests with target=" target ", runname=" runname ", fulldir=" fulldir ", testpatt=" (or (args:get-arg "-testpatt") "%"))
+	(if (and linktree (file-exists? linktree)) ;; can't proceed without linktree
+	    (begin
+	      (if (not (file-exists? fulldir))
+		  (create-directory fulldir #t)) ;; need to protect with exception handler 
+	      (if (and target
+		       runname
+		       (file-exists? fulldir))
+		  (let ((tmpfile  (conc fulldir "/.megatest.cfg." (current-seconds)))
+			(targfile (conc fulldir "/.megatest.cfg-"  megatest-version "-" megatest-fossil-hash))
+			(rconfig  (conc fulldir "/.runconfig." megatest-version "-" megatest-fossil-hash)))
+		    (if (file-exists? rconfig) ;; only cache megatest.config AFTER runconfigs has been cached
+			(begin
+			  (debug:print-info 0 "Caching megatest.config in " fulldir "/.megatest.cfg")
+			  (configf:write-alist *configdat* tmpfile)
+			  (system (conc "ln -sf " tmpfile " " targfile))))
+		    )))))))
 
 ;; set up the very basics needed for doing anything here.
-(define (launch:setup-for-run #!key (force #f))
+;;
+(define (launch:setup-old #!key (force #f))
   ;; would set values for KEYS in the environment here for better support of env-override but 
   ;; have chicken/egg scenario. need to read megatest.config then read it again. Going to 
   ;; pass on that idea for now
   ;; special case
   (if (or force (not (hash-table? *configdat*)))  ;; no need to re-open on every call
@@ -665,61 +695,135 @@
 		(debug:print 0 "ERROR: failed to find the top path to your Megatest area.")
 		(exit 1)))
 	  )))
   *toppath*)
 
-(define (launch:cache-config)
-  ;; if we have a linktree and -runtests and -target and the directory exists dump the config
-  ;; to megatest-(current-seconds).cfg and symlink it to megatest.cfg
-  (if (and *configdat* 
-	   (or (args:get-arg "-run")
-	       (args:get-arg "-runtests")
-	       (args:get-arg "-execute")))
-      (let* ((linktree (get-environment-variable "MT_LINKTREE"))
-	     (target   (common:args-get-target))
-	     (runname  (or (args:get-arg "-runname")
-			   (args:get-arg ":runname")
-			   (getenv "MT_RUNNAME")))
-	     (fulldir  (conc linktree "/"
-			     target "/"
-			     runname)))
-	(debug:print-info 0 "Have -runtests with target=" target ", runname=" runname ", fulldir=" fulldir ", testpatt=" (or (args:get-arg "-testpatt") "%"))
-	(if (file-exists? linktree) ;; can't proceed without linktree
-	    (begin
-	      (if (not (file-exists? fulldir))
-		  (create-directory fulldir #t)) ;; need to protect with exception handler 
-	      (if (and target
-		       runname
-		       (file-exists? fulldir))
-		  (let ((tmpfile  (conc fulldir "/.megatest.cfg." (current-seconds)))
-			(targfile (conc fulldir "/.megatest.cfg-"  megatest-version "-" megatest-fossil-hash))
-			(rconfig  (conc fulldir "/.runconfig." megatest-version "-" megatest-fossil-hash)))
-		    (if (file-exists? rconfig) ;; only cache megatest.config AFTER runconfigs has been cached
-			(begin
-			  (debug:print-info 0 "Caching megatest.config in " fulldir "/.megatest.cfg")
-			  (configf:write-alist *configdat* tmpfile)
-			  (system (conc "ln -sf " tmpfile " " targfile))))
-		    )))))))
-
 ;; gather available information, if legit read configs in this order:
 ;;
 ;;   if have cache;
 ;;      read it a return it
 ;;   else
 ;;     megatest.config     (do not cache)
 ;;     runconfigs.config   (cache if all vars avail)
 ;;     megatest.config     (cache if all vars avail)
+;;   returns:
+;;     *toppath*
+;;   side effects:
+;;     sets; *configdat*    (megatest.config info)
+;;           *runconfigdat* (runconfigs.config info)
+;;           *configstatus* (status of the read data)
 ;;
-(define (launch:setup #!key (force #f))
-  (let* ((runname  (common:args-get-runname))
+(define (launch:setup-new #!key (force #f))
+  (let* ((toppath  (or *toppath* (getenv "MT_RUN_AREA_HOME"))) ;; preserve toppath
+	 (runname  (common:args-get-runname))
 	 (target   (common:args-get-target))
-	 (linktree (or (getenv "MT_LINKTREE")
-		       (if *configdat* (configf:lookup *configdat* "setup" "linktree") #f)))
+	 (linktree (common:get-linktree))
+	 (mtconfig (or (args:get-arg "-config") "megatest.config")) ;; allow overriding megatest.config 
 	 (rundir   (if (and runname target linktree)(conc linktree "/" target "/" runname) #f))
 	 (mtcachef (and rundir (conc rundir "/" ".megatest.cfg-"  megatest-version "-" megatest-fossil-hash)))
-	 (rccachef (and rundir (conc rundir "/" ".runconfigs.cfg-"  megatest-version "-" megatest-fossil-hash))))
-    #f))
+	 (rccachef (and rundir (conc rundir "/" ".runconfigs.cfg-"  megatest-version "-" megatest-fossil-hash)))
+	 (cancreate (and rundir (file-exists? rundir)(file-write-access? rundir))))
+    ;; (print "runname: " runname " target: " target " mtcachef: " mtcachef " rccachef: " rccachef)
+    (set! *toppath* toppath) ;; This is needed when we are running as a test using CMDINFO as a datasource
+    (cond
+     ;; data was read and cached and available in *configstatus*, toppath has already been set
+     ((eq? *configstatus* 'fulldata)
+      *toppath*)
+     ;; if mtcachef exists just read it, however we need to assume toppath is available in $MT_RUN_AREA_HOME
+     ((and mtcachef (file-exists? mtcachef) (get-environment-variable "MT_RUN_AREA_HOME"))
+      (set! *configdat*    (configf:read-alist mtcachef))
+      (set! *runconfigdat* (configf:read-alist rccachef))
+      (set! *configinfo*   (list *configdat*  (get-environment-variable "MT_RUN_AREA_HOME")))
+      (set! *configstatus* 'fulldata)
+      (set! *toppath*      (get-environment-variable "MT_RUN_AREA_HOME"))
+      *toppath*)
+     ;; we have all the info needed to fully process runconfigs and megatest.config
+     (mtcachef              
+      (let* ((sections   (list "default" target)) ;; for runconfigs
+	     (first-pass (find-and-read-config        ;; NB// sets MT_RUN_AREA_HOME as side effect
+				  mtconfig
+				  environ-patt: "env-override"
+				  given-toppath: toppath
+				  pathenvvar: "MT_RUN_AREA_HOME"))
+	     (first-rundat  (read-config (conc toppath "/runconfigs.config") *runconfigdat* #t 
+					 sections: sections)))
+	(set! *runconfigdat* first-rundat)
+	(if first-pass  ;; 
+	    (begin
+	      (set! *configdat*  (car first-pass))
+	      (set! *configinfo* first-pass)
+	      (set! *toppath*    (or toppath (cadr first-pass))) ;; use the gathered data unless already have it
+	      (set! toppath      *toppath*)
+	      (setenv "MT_RUN_AREA_HOME" *toppath*)
+	      ;; the seed read is done, now read runconfigs, cache it then read megatest.config one more time and cache it
+	      (let* ((keys         (rmt:get-keys))
+		     (key-vals     (keys:target->keyval keys target))
+		     (linktree     (or (getenv "MT_LINKTREE")
+				       (if *configdat* (configf:lookup *configdat* "setup" "linktree") #f)))
+		     (second-pass  (find-and-read-config
+				    mtconfig
+				    environ-patt: "env-override"
+				    given-toppath: toppath
+				    pathenvvar: "MT_RUN_AREA_HOME"))
+		     (runconfigdat (begin     ;; this read of the runconfigs will see any adjustments made by re-reading megatest.config
+				     (for-each (lambda (kt)
+						 (setenv (car kt) (cadr kt)))
+					       key-vals)
+				     (read-config (conc toppath "/runconfigs.config") *runconfigdat* #t 
+						  sections: sections))))
+		(if cancreate (configf:write-alist runconfigdat rccachef))
+		(set! *runconfigdat* runconfigdat)
+		(if cancreate (configf:write-alist *configdat* mtcachef))
+		(if cancreate (set! *configstatus* 'fulldata))))
+	    ;; no configs found? should not happen but let's try to recover gracefully, return an empty hash-table
+	    (set! *configdat* (make-hash-table))
+	    )))
+     ;; else read what you can and set the flag accordingly
+     (else
+      (let* ((cfgdat   (find-and-read-config 
+			(or (args:get-arg "-config") "megatest.config")
+			environ-patt: "env-override"
+			given-toppath: (get-environment-variable "MT_RUN_AREA_HOME")
+			pathenvvar: "MT_RUN_AREA_HOME")))
+	(if cfgdat
+	    (let* ((sections (if target (list "default" target) #f))
+		   (toppath  (or (get-environment-variable "MT_RUN_AREA_HOME")(cadr cfgdat)))
+		   (rdat     (read-config (conc toppath
+						"/runconfigs.config") *runconfigdat* #t sections: sections)))
+	      (set! *configinfo*   cfgdat)
+	      (set! *configdat*    (car cfgdat))
+	      (set! *runconfigdat* rdat)
+	      (set! *toppath*      toppath)
+	      (set! *configstatus* 'partial))
+	    (begin
+	      (debug:print 0 "ERROR: No " mtconfig " file found. Giving up.")
+	      (exit 2))))))
+    ;; additional house keeping
+    (let* ((linktree (or (getenv "MT_LINKTREE")
+			 (if *configdat* (configf:lookup *configdat* "setup" "linktree") #f))))
+      (if linktree
+	  (if (not (file-exists? linktree))
+	      (begin
+		(handle-exceptions
+		 exn
+		 (begin
+		   (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Something went wrong when trying to create linktree dir at " linktree)
+		   (debug:print 0 " message: " ((condition-property-accessor 'exn 'message) exn))
+		   (exit 1))
+		 (create-directory linktree #t))))
+	  (begin
+	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: linktree not defined in [setup] section of megatest.config")
+	    ;; (exit 1)
+	    )))
+    (if (and *toppath*
+	     (directory-exists? *toppath*))
+	(setenv "MT_RUN_AREA_HOME" *toppath*)
+	(begin
+	  (debug:print 0 "ERROR: failed to find the top path to your Megatest area.")))
+    *toppath*))
+
+(define launch:setup launch:setup-new)
 
 (define (get-best-disk confdat testconfig)
   (let* ((disks   (or (and testconfig (hash-table-ref/default testconfig "disks" #f))
 		      (hash-table-ref/default confdat "disks" #f)))
 	 (minspace (let ((m (configf:lookup confdat "setup" "minspace")))

Index: megatest.scm
==================================================================
--- megatest.scm
+++ megatest.scm
@@ -468,11 +468,11 @@
     (begin
       (save-environment-as-files (args:get-arg "-env2file"))
       (set! *didsomething* #t)))
 
 (if (args:get-arg "-list-disks")
-    (let ((toppath (launch:setup-for-run)))
+    (let ((toppath (launch:setup)))
       (print 
        (string-intersperse 
 	(map (lambda (x)
 	       (string-intersperse 
 		x
@@ -720,11 +720,11 @@
 
 (if (args:get-arg "-server")
 
     ;; Server? Start up here.
     ;;
-    (let ((tl        (launch:setup-for-run))
+    (let ((tl        (launch:setup))
 	  (run-id    (and (args:get-arg "-run-id")
 			  (string->number (args:get-arg "-run-id")))))
       (if run-id
 	  (begin
 	    (server:launch run-id)
@@ -740,11 +740,11 @@
 		'("-list-servers"
 		  "-stop-server"
 		  "-show-cmdinfo"
 		  "-list-runs"
 		  "-ping")))
-	(if (launch:setup-for-run)
+	(if (launch:setup)
 	    (let ((run-id    (and (args:get-arg "-run-id")
 				  (string->number (args:get-arg "-run-id")))))
 	      ;; (set! *fdb*   (filedb:open-db (conc *toppath* "/db/paths.db")))
 	      ;; if not list or kill then start a client (if appropriate)
 	      (if (or (args-defined? "-h" "-version" "-gen-megatest-area" "-gen-megatest-test")
@@ -760,11 +760,11 @@
 ;; MAY STILL NEED THIS
 ;;		       (set! *megatest-db* (make-dbr:dbstruct path: *toppath* local: #t))))))))))
 
 (if (or (args:get-arg "-list-servers")
 	(args:get-arg "-stop-server"))
-    (let ((tl (launch:setup-for-run)))
+    (let ((tl (launch:setup)))
       (if tl 
 	  (let* ((tdbdat  (tasks:open-db))
 		 (servers (tasks:get-all-servers (db:delay-if-busy tdbdat)))
 		 (fmtstr  "~5a~12a~8a~20a~24a~10a~10a~10a~10a\n")
 		 (servers-to-kill '())
@@ -830,10 +830,17 @@
       (set! *didsomething* #t)))
 
 ;; cache the runconfigs in $MT_LINKTREE/$MT_TARGET/$MT_RUNNAME/.runconfig
 ;;
 (define (full-runconfigs-read)
+;; in the envprocessing branch the below code replaces the further below code
+;;  (if (eq? *configstatus* 'fulldata)
+;;      *runconfigdat*
+;;      (begin
+;;	(launch:setup)
+;;	*runconfigdat*)))
+
   (let* ((rundir (if (and (getenv "MT_LINKTREE")(getenv "MT_TARGET")(getenv "MT_RUNNAME"))
 		     (conc (getenv "MT_LINKTREE") "/" (getenv "MT_TARGET") "/" (getenv "MT_RUNNAME"))
 		     #f))
 	 (cfgf   (if rundir (conc rundir "/.runconfig." megatest-version "-" megatest-fossil-hash) #f)))
     (if (and cfgf
@@ -855,16 +862,16 @@
 		   (directory-exists? rundir)
 		   (file-write-access? rundir))
 	      (begin
 		(configf:write-alist data cfgf)
 		;; force re-read of megatest.config - this resolves circular references between megatest.config
-		(launch:setup-for-run force: #t)
+		(launch:setup force: #t)
 		(launch:cache-config))) ;; we can safely cache megatest.config since we have a valid runconfig
 	  data))))
 
 (if (args:get-arg "-show-runconfig")
-    (let ((tl (launch:setup-for-run)))
+    (let ((tl (launch:setup)))
       (push-directory *toppath*)
       (let ((data (full-runconfigs-read)))
 	;; keep this one local
 	(cond
 	 ((and (args:get-arg "-section")
@@ -882,11 +889,11 @@
 	  (debug:print 0 "ERROR: -dumpmode of " (args:get-arg "-dumpmode") " not recognised")))
 	(set! *didsomething* #t))
       (pop-directory)))
 
 (if (args:get-arg "-show-config")
-    (let ((tl   (launch:setup-for-run))
+    (let ((tl   (launch:setup))
 	  (data *configdat*)) ;; (read-config "megatest.config" #f #t)))
       (push-directory *toppath*)
       ;; keep this one local
       (cond 
        ((and (args:get-arg "-section")
@@ -1019,11 +1026,11 @@
 ;;
 ;; IDEA: megatest list -runname blah% ...
 ;;
 (if (or (args:get-arg "-list-runs")
 	(args:get-arg "-list-db-targets"))
-    (if (launch:setup-for-run)
+    (if (launch:setup)
 	(let* (;; (dbstruct    (make-dbr:dbstruct path: *toppath* local: (args:get-arg "-local")))
 	       (runpatt     (args:get-arg "-list-runs"))
 	       (testpatt    (common:args-get-testpatt #f))
 	       ;; (if (args:get-arg "-testpatt") 
 	       ;;  	        (args:get-arg "-testpatt") 
@@ -1350,11 +1357,11 @@
 	  (set! *didsomething* #t))))
 
 ;; Don't think I need this. Incorporated into -list-runs instead
 ;;
 ;; (if (and (args:get-arg "-since")
-;; 	 (launch:setup-for-run))
+;; 	 (launch:setup))
 ;;     (let* ((since-time (string->number (args:get-arg "-since")))
 ;; 	   (run-ids    (db:get-changed-run-ids since-time)))
 ;;       ;; (rmt:get-tests-for-runs-mindata run-ids testpatt states status not-in)
 ;;       (print (sort run-ids <))
 ;;       (set! *didsomething* #t)))
@@ -1508,11 +1515,11 @@
 	  (change-directory toppath)
 	  (if (not target)
 	      (begin
 		(debug:print 0 "ERROR: -target is required.")
 		(exit 1)))
-	  (if (not (launch:setup-for-run))
+	  (if (not (launch:setup))
 	      (begin
 		(debug:print 0 "Failed to setup, giving up on -test-paths or -test-files, exiting")
 		(exit 1)))
 	  (let* ((keys     (rmt:get-keys))
 		 ;; db:test-get-paths must not be run remote
@@ -1614,11 +1621,11 @@
 	     (test-id   (assoc/default 'test-id   cmdinfo))
 	     (itemdat   (assoc/default 'itemdat   cmdinfo))
 	     (work-area (assoc/default 'work-area cmdinfo))
 	     (db        #f))
 	(change-directory testpath)
-	(if (not (launch:setup-for-run))
+	(if (not (launch:setup))
 	    (begin
 	      (debug:print 0 "Failed to setup, exiting")
 	      (exit 1)))
 	(if (and state status)
 	    (rmt:teststep-set-status! run-id test-id step state status msg logfile)
@@ -1662,11 +1669,11 @@
 	       (itemdat   (assoc/default 'itemdat   cmdinfo))
 	       (work-area (assoc/default 'work-area cmdinfo))
 	       (db        #f) ;; (open-db))
 	       (state     (args:get-arg ":state"))
 	       (status    (args:get-arg ":status")))
-	  (if (not (launch:setup-for-run))
+	  (if (not (launch:setup))
 	      (begin
 		(debug:print 0 "Failed to setup, exiting")
 		(exit 1)))
 
 	  (if (args:get-arg "-runstep")(debug:print-info 1 "Running -runstep, first change to directory " work-area))
@@ -1767,11 +1774,11 @@
 
 (if (or (args:get-arg "-showkeys")
         (args:get-arg "-show-keys"))
     (let ((db #f)
 	  (keys #f))
-      (if (not (launch:setup-for-run))
+      (if (not (launch:setup))
 	  (begin
 	    (debug:print 0 "Failed to setup, exiting")
 	    (exit 1)))
       (set! keys (rmt:get-keys)) ;;  db))
       (debug:print 1 "Keys: " (string-intersperse keys ", "))
@@ -1798,21 +1805,21 @@
 ;; Update the database schema, clean up the db
 ;;======================================================================
 
 (if (args:get-arg "-rebuild-db")
     (begin
-      (if (not (launch:setup-for-run))
+      (if (not (launch:setup))
 	  (begin
 	    (debug:print 0 "Failed to setup, exiting") 
 	    (exit 1)))
       ;; keep this one local
       (open-run-close patch-db #f)
       (set! *didsomething* #t)))
 
 (if (args:get-arg "-cleanup-db")
     (begin
-      (if (not (launch:setup-for-run))
+      (if (not (launch:setup))
 	  (begin
 	    (debug:print 0 "Failed to setup, exiting") 
 	    (exit 1)))
       ;; keep this one local
       ;; (open-run-close db:clean-up #f)
@@ -1827,11 +1834,11 @@
        )
       (set! *didsomething* #t)))
 
 (if (args:get-arg "-mark-incompletes")
     (begin
-      (if (not (launch:setup-for-run))
+      (if (not (launch:setup))
 	  (begin
 	    (debug:print 0 "Failed to setup, exiting") b
 	    (exit 1)))
       (open-run-close db:find-and-mark-incomplete #f)
       (set! *didsomething* #t)))
@@ -1840,11 +1847,11 @@
 ;; Update the tests meta data from the testconfig files
 ;;======================================================================
 
 (if (args:get-arg "-update-meta")
     (begin
-      (if (not (launch:setup-for-run))
+      (if (not (launch:setup))
 	  (begin
 	    (debug:print 0 "Failed to setup, exiting") 
 	    (exit 1)))
       ;; now can find our db
       ;; keep this one local
@@ -1857,11 +1864,11 @@
 
 ;; fakeout readline
 
 (if (or (args:get-arg "-repl")
 	(args:get-arg "-load"))
-    (let* ((toppath (launch:setup-for-run))
+    (let* ((toppath (launch:setup))
 	   (dbstruct (if toppath (make-dbr:dbstruct path: toppath local: (args:get-arg "-local")) #f)))
       (if dbstruct
 	  (begin
 	    (set! *db* dbstruct)
 	    (set! *client-non-blocking-mode* #t)
@@ -1888,11 +1895,11 @@
 
 (if (and (args:get-arg "-run-wait")
 	 (not (or (args:get-arg "-run")
 		  (args:get-arg "-runtests")))) ;; run-wait is built into runtests now
     (begin
-      (if (not (launch:setup-for-run))
+      (if (not (launch:setup))
 	  (begin
 	    (debug:print 0 "Failed to setup, exiting") 
 	    (exit 1)))
       (operate-on 'run-wait)
       (set! *didsomething* #t)))

Index: newdashboard.scm
==================================================================
--- newdashboard.scm
+++ newdashboard.scm
@@ -67,11 +67,11 @@
 (if (args:get-arg "-h")
     (begin
       (print help)
       (exit)))
 
-(if (not (launch:setup-for-run))
+(if (not (launch:setup))
     (begin
       (print "Failed to find megatest.config, exiting") 
       (exit 1)))
 
 ;; (if (args:get-arg "-host")

Index: runs.scm
==================================================================
--- runs.scm
+++ runs.scm
@@ -40,11 +40,11 @@
 ;; NOT YET UTILIZED
 ;;
 (define (runs:create-run-record)
   (let* ((mconfig      (if *configdat*
 		           *configdat*
-		           (if (launch:setup-for-run)
+		           (if (launch:setup)
 		               *configdat*
 		               (begin
 		                 (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Called setup in a non-megatest area, exiting")
 		                 (exit 1)))))
 	  (runrec      (runs:runrec-make-record))
@@ -1780,11 +1780,11 @@
       (debug:print 0 "ERROR: Missing required parameter for " switchname ", you must specify the run name with -runname runname")
       (exit 3))
      (else
       (let (;; (db   #f)
 	    (keys #f))
-	(if (launch:setup-for-run)
+	(if (launch:setup)
 	    (begin
 	      (full-runconfigs-read) ;; cache the run config
 	      (launch:cache-config)) ;; do not cache here - need to be sure runconfigs is processed
 	    (begin 
 	      (debug:print 0 "Failed to setup, exiting")

Index: server.scm
==================================================================
--- server.scm
+++ server.scm
@@ -207,11 +207,11 @@
   (let ((tdbdat (tasks:open-db)))
     (let* ((host-port (let ((slst (string-split   host:port ":")))
 			(if (eq? (length slst) 2)
 			    (list (car slst)(string->number (cadr slst)))
 			    #f)))
-	   (toppath       (launch:setup-for-run))
+	   (toppath       (launch:setup))
 	   (server-db-dat (if (not host-port)(tasks:get-server (db:delay-if-busy tdbdat) run-id) #f)))
       (if (not run-id)
 	  (begin
 	    (debug:print 0 "ERROR: must specify run-id when doing ping, -run-id n")
 	    (print "ERROR: No run-id")