Hi, list! OS X 10.5.7 $ git --version git version 1.6.3.2 In my master branch I've had this structure: root / directory1 / some-files directory2 / copy-of-directory1 / some-files In a separate branch I replaced copy-of-directory1 with a symlink to ../directory1. I did it in two commits: first remove copy-of-directory1, in second commit -- create the symlink. My master branch is then moved by couple commits ahead. Now I have nasty problems when I try to merge that separate branch back to master (see log below). If I split the branch history in two, and first merge up to commit with deletion, and then separately merge the rest of it with symlink creation -- all goes well. Below is the log on how to reproduce the problem: Alexander. $ mkdir test $ cd test $ git init Initialized empty Git repository in /users/agladysh/tmp/test/.git/ $ mkdir alpha $ echo "file1" > alpha/file1 $ git add . $ git commit -m "first commit" [master (root-commit) 1df90a8] first commit 1 files changed, 1 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-) create mode 100644 alpha/file1 $ mkdir beta $ cp -R alpha beta/ $ git add . $ git commit -m "second commit" [master 0eddb98] second commit 1 files changed, 1 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-) create mode 100644 beta/alpha/file1 $ git checkout -b branch Switched to a new branch 'branch' $ rm -rf beta/alpha $ git add -u $ git commit -m "deleted" [branch 34134ea] deleted 1 files changed, 0 insertions(+), 1 deletions(-) delete mode 100644 beta/alpha/file1 $ cd beta/ $ ln -s ../alpha $ cd .. $ git add . $ git commit -m "symlink" [branch b8dfba0] symlink 1 files changed, 1 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-) create mode 120000 beta/alpha $ git checkout master Switched to branch 'master' ### All works if we're just fast-forwarding ### $ git branch backup $ git merge branch Updating 0eddb98..b8dfba0 Fast forward beta/alpha | 1 + beta/alpha/file1 | 1 - 2 files changed, 1 insertions(+), 1 deletions(-) create mode 120000 beta/alpha delete mode 100644 beta/alpha/file1 ### Trying to restore to backup $ git reset --hard backup error: Invalid path '' HEAD is now at 0eddb98 second commit $ git status # On branch master # Changed but not updated: # (use "git add/rm <file>..." to update what will be committed) # (use "git checkout -- <file>..." to discard changes in working directory) # # deleted: alpha/file1 # no changes added to commit (use "git add" and/or "git commit -a") ### Needed second reset --hard. $ git reset --hard HEAD is now at 0eddb98 second commit $ git status # On branch master nothing to commit (working directory clean) ### We're back to original master now $ echo "change" >> alpha/file1 $ git commit -a -m "third commit" [master 0f64b88] third commit 1 files changed, 1 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-) ### Here it goes $ git merge branch CONFLICT (directory/file): There is a directory with name beta/alpha in HEAD. Adding beta/alpha as beta/alpha~branch Removing beta/alpha/file1 Automatic merge failed; fix conflicts and then commit the result. [4168][agladysh.agmac: test]$ git status beta/alpha: needs merge # On branch master # Changes to be committed: # (use "git reset HEAD <file>..." to unstage) # # deleted: beta/alpha/file1 # # Changed but not updated: # (use "git add <file>..." to update what will be committed) # (use "git checkout -- <file>..." to discard changes in working directory) # # unmerged: beta/alpha # # Untracked files: # (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed) # # beta/alpha~branch $ git mergetool Merging the files: beta/alpha mv: rename beta/alpha to ./beta/alpha.BACKUP.55777: No such file or directory cp: ./beta/alpha.BACKUP.55777: No such file or directory Deleted merge conflict for 'beta/alpha': {local}: deleted {remote}: a symbolic link -> '../alpha' Use (c)reated or (d)eleted file, or (a)bort? c fatal: beta/alpha: unable to stat (No such file or directory) mv: rename ./beta/alpha.BACKUP.55777 to beta/alpha.orig: No such file or directory -- To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe git" in the body of a message to majordomo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html