THanks RTM,

I forgot to mention that files and subdirectory under /local/files
disappeared.

the size of the /local/files directory is now 1 byte from 5mb
I have no logical explaination for this.

I have never see or heard of files disppearing unless someone delete the file.

the /local/files directory is mounted locally and not through automount.

my auto_master configuration is like

+auto_master
/- auto_home rw,nosuid,browse

I have stopped and restarted automount daemon several times
but still receiving error message.

is they any explaination for this.