diff --git a/top/top.c b/top/top.c
index 5f6a3a37..24f8cee0 100644
--- a/top/top.c
+++ b/top/top.c
@@ -72,6 +72,9 @@ static char *Myname;
         /* The 'local' config file support */
 static char  Rc_name [OURPATHSZ];
 static RCF_t Rc = DEF_RCFILE;
+#ifndef WARN_CFG_OFF
+static int   Rc_converted;
+#endif
 
         /* The run-time acquired page stuff */
 static unsigned Page_size;
@@ -658,7 +661,7 @@ static void show_msg (const char *str) {
 static int show_pmt (const char *str) {
    int rc;
 
-   PUTT("%s%s%.*s: %s%s%s"
+   PUTT("%s%s%.*s %s%s%s"
       , tg2(0, Msg_row)
       , Curwin->capclr_pmt
       , Screen_cols - 3
@@ -2153,6 +2156,70 @@ static void before (char *me) {
 } // end: before
 
 
+        /*
+         * A configs_read *Helper* function responsible for converting a
+         * single window's old rc stuff into a new top compatible rcfile entry */
+static int config_cvt (WIN_t *q) {
+ #define old_View_NOBOLD  0x000001
+ #define old_VISIBLE_tsk  0x000008
+ #define old_Qsrt_NORMAL  0x000010
+ #define old_Show_HICOLS  0x000200
+ #define old_Show_THREAD  0x010000
+   static struct flags {
+      int old, new;
+   } flags_tab[] = {
+      { old_View_NOBOLD, View_NOBOLD },
+      { old_VISIBLE_tsk, Show_TASKON },
+      { old_Qsrt_NORMAL, Qsrt_NORMAL },
+      { old_Show_HICOLS, Show_HICOLS },
+      { old_Show_THREAD, 0           }
+   };
+   static const char field_src[] = OLD_FIELDS;
+   char field_dst[PFLAGSSIZ];
+   int i, x;
+
+   // first we'll touch up this window's winflags...
+   x = q->rc.winflags;
+   q->rc.winflags = 0;
+   for (i = 0; i < MAXTBL(flags_tab); i++) {
+      if (x & flags_tab[i].old) {
+         x &= ~flags_tab[i].old;
+         q->rc.winflags |= flags_tab[i].new;
+      }
+   }
+   q->rc.winflags |= x;
+
+   // now let's convert old top's more limited 26 fields...
+   if (26 != strlen(q->rc.fieldscur))
+      return 0;
+   strcpy(field_dst, field_src);
+   for (i = 0; i < 26; i++) {
+      int c = q->rc.fieldscur[i];
+      x = toupper(c) - 'A';
+      if (x < 0 || x > 25)
+         return 0;
+      field_dst[i] = field_src[x];
+      if (isupper(c))
+         FLDon(field_dst[i]);
+   }
+   strcpy(q->rc.fieldscur, field_dst);
+
+   // lastly, we must adjust the old sort field enum...
+   x = q->rc.sortindx;
+   q->rc.sortindx = field_src[x] - FLD_OFFSET;
+
+#ifndef WARN_CFG_OFF
+   Rc_converted = 1;
+#endif
+   return 1;
+ #undef old_View_NOBOLD
+ #undef old_VISIBLE_tsk
+ #undef old_Qsrt_NORMAL
+ #undef old_Show_HICOLS
+ #undef old_Show_THREAD
+} // end: config_cvt
+
+
         /*
          * Build the local RC file name then try to read both of 'em.
          * 'SYS_RCFILESPEC' contains two lines consisting of the secure
@@ -2168,14 +2235,11 @@ static void before (char *me) {
          *   line b: contains w->winflags, sortindx, maxtasks
          *   line c: contains w->summclr, msgsclr, headclr, taskclr */
 static void configs_read (void) {
-#ifdef RCFILE_NOERR
-   RCF_t rcdef = DEF_RCFILE;
-#endif
    float tmp_delay = DEF_DELAY;
-   char fbuf[LRGBUFSIZ], *p;
+   char fbuf[LRGBUFSIZ];
+   const char *p;
    FILE *fp;
    int i, x;
-   char id;
 
    p = getenv("HOME");
    snprintf(Rc_name, sizeof(Rc_name), "%s/.%src", (p && *p) ? p : ".", Myname);
@@ -2195,61 +2259,66 @@ static void configs_read (void) {
    if (fp) {
       fbuf[0] = '\0';
       fgets(fbuf, sizeof(fbuf), fp);             // ignore eyecatcher
-      if (5 != (fscanf(fp, "Id:%c, "
-         "Mode_altscr=%d, Mode_irixps=%d, Delay_time=%f, Curwin=%d\n"
-         , &id, &Rc.mode_altscr, &Rc.mode_irixps, &tmp_delay, &i))
-      || RCF_VERSION_ID != id)
-#ifndef RCFILE_NOERR
-         error_exit(fmtmk(N_fmt(RC_bad_files_fmt), Rc_name));
-#else
-         goto just_default_em;
-#endif
+      if (5 != fscanf(fp
+         , "Id:%c, Mode_altscr=%d, Mode_irixps=%d, Delay_time=%f, Curwin=%d\n"
+         , &Rc.id, &Rc.mode_altscr, &Rc.mode_irixps, &tmp_delay, &i)) {
+            p = fmtmk(N_fmt(RC_bad_files_fmt), Rc_name);
+            goto default_or_error;
+      }
       // you saw that, right?  (fscanf stickin' it to 'i')
       Curwin = &Winstk[i];
 
       for (i = 0 ; i < GROUPSMAX; i++) {
+         p = fmtmk(N_fmt(RC_bad_entry_fmt), i+1, Rc_name);
          // note: "fieldscur=%__s" on next line should equal PFLAGSSIZ !
-         fscanf(fp, "%3s\tfieldscur=%64s\n"
-            , Winstk[i].rc.winname, Winstk[i].rc.fieldscur);
+         if (2 != fscanf(fp, "%3s\tfieldscur=%64s\n"
+            , Winstk[i].rc.winname, Winstk[i].rc.fieldscur))
+               goto default_or_error;
 #if PFLAGSSIZ > 64
  // too bad fscanf is not as flexible with his format string as snprintf
  # error Hey, fix the above fscanf 'PFLAGSSIZ' dependency !
 #endif
-         if (strlen(Winstk[i].rc.fieldscur) != sizeof(DEF_FIELDS) - 1)
-#ifndef RCFILE_NOERR
-            error_exit(fmtmk(N_fmt(RC_bad_entry_fmt), i+1, Rc_name));
-#else
-            goto just_default_em;
-#endif
-         for (x = 0; x < P_MAXPFLGS; ++x) {
-            int f = FLDget(&Winstk[i], x);
-            if (P_MAXPFLGS <= f)
-#ifndef RCFILE_NOERR
-               error_exit(fmtmk(N_fmt(RC_bad_entry_fmt), i+1, Rc_name));
-#else
-               goto just_default_em;
-#endif
-         }
-         fscanf(fp, "\twinflags=%d, sortindx=%d, maxtasks=%d\n"
-            , &Winstk[i].rc.winflags, (int*)&Winstk[i].rc.sortindx, &Winstk[i].rc.maxtasks);
-         fscanf(fp, "\tsummclr=%d, msgsclr=%d, headclr=%d, taskclr=%d\n"
+         if (3 != fscanf(fp, "\twinflags=%d, sortindx=%d, maxtasks=%d\n"
+            , &Winstk[i].rc.winflags, (int*)&Winstk[i].rc.sortindx, &Winstk[i].rc.maxtasks))
+               goto default_or_error;
+         if (4 != fscanf(fp, "\tsummclr=%d, msgsclr=%d, headclr=%d, taskclr=%d\n"
             , &Winstk[i].rc.summclr, &Winstk[i].rc.msgsclr
-            , &Winstk[i].rc.headclr, &Winstk[i].rc.taskclr);
-      }
+            , &Winstk[i].rc.headclr, &Winstk[i].rc.taskclr))
+               goto default_or_error;
+
+         if (RCF_VERSION_ID != Rc.id) {
+            if (!config_cvt(&Winstk[i]))
+               goto default_or_error;
+         } else {
+            if (strlen(Winstk[i].rc.fieldscur) != sizeof(DEF_FIELDS) - 1)
+               goto default_or_error;
+            for (x = 0; x < P_MAXPFLGS; ++x) {
+               int f = FLDget(&Winstk[i], x);
+               if (P_MAXPFLGS <= f)
+                  goto default_or_error;
+            }
+         }
+      } // end: for (GROUPSMAX)
+
       fclose(fp);
-   }
+   } // end: if (fp)
 
    // lastly, establish the true runtime secure mode and delay time
    if (!getuid()) Secure_mode = 0;
    if (!Secure_mode) Rc.delay_time = tmp_delay;
    return;
 
+default_or_error:
 #ifdef RCFILE_NOERR
-just_default_em:
-   fclose(fp);
+{  RCF_t rcdef = DEF_RCFILE;
+
+   flcose(fp);
    Rc = rcdef;
    for (i = 0 ; i < GROUPSMAX; i++)
       Winstk[i].rc  = Rc.win[i];
+}
+#else
+   error_exit(p);
 #endif
 } // end: configs_read
 
@@ -2699,6 +2768,14 @@ static void file_writerc (void) {
    FILE *fp;
    int i;
 
+#ifndef WARN_CFG_OFF
+   if (Rc_converted) {
+      show_pmt(N_fmt(XTRA_warncfg_txt));
+      if ('y' != tolower(keyin(0)))
+         return;
+      Rc_converted = 0;
+   }
+#endif
    if (!(fp = fopen(Rc_name, "w"))) {
       show_msg(fmtmk(N_fmt(FAIL_rc_open_fmt), Rc_name, strerror(errno)));
       return;
diff --git a/top/top.h b/top/top.h
index 7461f32a..889e4a44 100644
--- a/top/top.h
+++ b/top/top.h
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@
 //#define TREE_ONEPASS            /* for speed, tolerate dangling children   */
 //#define USE_X_COLHDR            /* emphasize header vs. whole col, for 'x' */
 //#define VALIDATE_NLS            /* validate integrity of all 3 nls tables  */
+//#define WARN_CFG_OFF            /* warning OFF when overwriting old rcfile */
 
 
 /*######  Notes, etc.  ###################################################*/
@@ -303,6 +304,7 @@ typedef struct RCW_t {  // the 'window' portion of an rcfile
 
         /* This represents the complete rcfile */
 typedef struct RCF_t {
+   char   id;                   // rcfile version id
    int    mode_altscr;          // 'A' - Alt display mode (multi task windows)
    int    mode_irixps;          // 'I' - Irix vs. Solaris mode (SMP-only)
    float  delay_time;           // 'd'/'s' - How long to sleep twixt updates
@@ -360,6 +362,7 @@ typedef struct WIN_t {
 #define VIZTOGw(q,f) (VIZISw(q)) ? TOGw(q,(f)) : win_warn(Warn_VIZ)
 
         // Used to test/manipulte fieldscur values
+#define FLDon(c)     ((c) |= 0x80)
 #define FLDget(q,i)  ((FLG_t)((q)->rc.fieldscur[i] & 0x7f) - FLD_OFFSET)
 #define FLDtog(q,i)  ((q)->rc.fieldscur[i] ^= 0x80)
 #define FLDviz(q,i)  ((q)->rc.fieldscur[i] &  0x80)
@@ -490,10 +493,12 @@ typedef struct WIN_t {
 #define JOB_FIELDS  "¥¦¹·º³´Ä»¼½§Å()*+,-./012568>?@ABCFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ["
 #define MEM_FIELDS  "¥º»¼½¾¿ÀÁÃij´·Å&'()*+,-./0125689BFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ["
 #define USR_FIELDS  "¥¦§¨ª°¹·ºÄÅ)+,-./1234568;<=>?@ABCFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ["
+        /* old top's fields (A-Z) in the first 26 positions */
+#define OLD_FIELDS  "%&*'(-0346789:;<=>?@ACDEFG)+,./125BHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ["
 
         /* The default values for the local config file */
 #define DEF_RCFILE { \
-   0, 1, DEF_DELAY, 0, { \
+   RCF_VERSION_ID, 0, 1, DEF_DELAY, 0, { \
    { P_CPU, DEF_WINFLGS, 0, \
       COLOR_RED, COLOR_RED, COLOR_YELLOW, COLOR_RED, \
       "Def", DEF_FIELDS }, \
@@ -589,6 +594,7 @@ typedef struct WIN_t {
 //atic void          sysinfo_refresh (int forced);
 /*------  Startup routines  ----------------------------------------------*/
 //atic void          before (char *me);
+//atic int           config_cvt (WIN_t *q);
 //atic void          configs_read (void);
 //atic void          parse_args (char **args);
 //atic void          whack_terminal (void);
diff --git a/top/top_nls.c b/top/top_nls.c
index c643e7f0..0dc14c72 100644
--- a/top/top_nls.c
+++ b/top/top_nls.c
@@ -260,6 +260,9 @@ static void build_norm_nlstab (void) {
    Norm_nlstab[FIND_no_next_txt] = _("Locate next inactive, use \"L\"");
    Norm_nlstab[GET_find_str_txt] = _("Locate string");
    Norm_nlstab[FIND_no_find_fmt] = _("%s\"%s\" not found");
+#ifndef WARN_CFG_OFF
+   Norm_nlstab[XTRA_warncfg_txt] = _("Overwrite existing old style rcfile?");
+#endif
 }
 
 
diff --git a/top/top_nls.h b/top/top_nls.h
index e834c397..a3f03d20 100644
--- a/top/top_nls.h
+++ b/top/top_nls.h
@@ -76,6 +76,9 @@ enum norm_nls {
    THREADS_show_fmt, TIME_accumed_fmt, UNKNOWN_cmds_txt, UNKNOWN_opts_fmt,
    USAGE_abbrev_txt, WORD_allcpus_txt, WORD_another_txt, WORD_eachcpu_fmt,
    WORD_process_txt, WORD_threads_txt, WRITE_rcfile_fmt, WRONG_switch_fmt,
+#ifndef WARN_CFG_OFF
+   XTRA_warncfg_txt,
+#endif
       norm_MAX
 };