diff --git a/util/psb_c_mmio_impl.f90 b/util/psb_c_mmio_impl.f90
index 68690d06c..ad653462a 100644
--- a/util/psb_c_mmio_impl.f90
+++ b/util/psb_c_mmio_impl.f90
@@ -36,12 +36,13 @@ subroutine mm_cvet_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), intent(out)        :: info
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
-  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j,infile
-  real(psb_spk_)       :: bre, bim 
+  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, infile
   character            :: mmheader*15, fmt*15, object*10, type*10, sym*15,&
        & line*1024
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ subroutine mm_cvet_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -76,15 +78,15 @@ subroutine mm_cvet_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
 
   read(line,fmt=*)nrow,ncol
 
-  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
     allocate(b(nrow),stat = ircode)
     if (ircode /= 0)   goto 993
-    do i=1, nrow
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) bre,bim
-      b(i) = cmplx(bre,bim,kind=psb_spk_)
+    do i=1,nrow
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) b(i)
     end do
+
   end if      ! read right hand sides
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+  if (opened) close(infile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -109,12 +111,13 @@ subroutine mm_cvet2_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), intent(out)        :: info
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
-  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j,infile
-  real(psb_spk_)       :: bre, bim 
+  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, infile
   character            :: mmheader*15, fmt*15, object*10, type*10, sym*15,&
        & line*1024
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -125,6 +128,7 @@ subroutine mm_cvet2_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -152,15 +156,10 @@ subroutine mm_cvet2_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
   if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
     allocate(b(nrow,ncol),stat = ircode)
     if (ircode /= 0)   goto 993
-    do j=1, ncol
-      do i=1, nrow
-        read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) bre,bim
-        b(i,j) = cmplx(bre,bim,kind=psb_spk_)
-      end do
-    end do
+    read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) ((b(i,j), i=1,nrow),j=1,ncol)
 
   end if      ! read right hand sides
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+  if (opened) close(infile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -189,8 +188,10 @@ subroutine mm_cvet2_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, outfile
 
   character(len=80)                 :: frmtv 
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       outfile=6
@@ -201,6 +202,7 @@ subroutine mm_cvet2_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
         outfile=99
       endif
       open(outfile,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -209,17 +211,19 @@ subroutine mm_cvet2_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
       outfile=6
     endif
   endif
-
-  write(outfile,'(a)') '%%MatrixMarket matrix array complex general'
+  
+  write(outfile,'(a)') '%%MatrixMarket matrix array real general'
   write(outfile,'(a)') '% '//trim(header)
   write(outfile,'(a)') '% '
   nrow = size(b,1) 
   ncol = size(b,2) 
-  write(outfile,*) nrow,ncol
+  write(outfile,*) nrow, ncol
+
+  write(frmtv,'(a,i0,a)') '(',ncol,'(es26.18,1x))'
 
-  write(outfile,fmt='(2(es26.18,1x))') ((b(i,j), i=1,nrow),j=1,ncol)
+  write(outfile,fmt=frmtv) ((b(i,j), i=1,nrow),j=1,ncol)
 
-  if (outfile /= 6) close(outfile)
+  if (opened) close(outfile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -241,8 +245,10 @@ subroutine mm_cvet1_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, outfile
 
   character(len=80)                 :: frmtv 
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       outfile=6
@@ -253,6 +259,7 @@ subroutine mm_cvet1_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
         outfile=99
       endif
       open(outfile,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -262,20 +269,20 @@ subroutine mm_cvet1_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
     endif
   endif
 
-  write(outfile,'(a)') '%%MatrixMarket matrix array complex general'
+  write(outfile,'(a)') '%%MatrixMarket matrix array real general'
   write(outfile,'(a)') '% '//trim(header)
   write(outfile,'(a)') '% '
   nrow = size(b,1) 
   ncol = 1
   write(outfile,*) nrow,ncol
 
-  write(frmtv,'(a,i0,a)') '(',2*ncol,'(es26.18,1x))'
+  write(frmtv,'(a,i0,a)') '(',ncol,'(es26.18,1x))'
 
   do i=1,size(b,1) 
     write(outfile,frmtv) b(i)
   end do
 
-  if (outfile /= 6) close(outfile)
+  if (opened) close(outfile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -298,7 +305,7 @@ subroutine mm_cvect_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
   complex(psb_spk_), allocatable :: bv(:)
 
   call mm_array_read(bv, info, iunit, filename)
-  call b%bld(bv)
+  if (info == 0) call b%bld(bv)
   
 end subroutine mm_cvect_read
 
@@ -331,9 +338,10 @@ subroutine cmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, nnzero
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: ircode, i,nzr,infile
   type(psb_c_coo_sparse_mat), allocatable :: acoo
-  real(psb_spk_) :: are, aim
-  info = psb_success_
+  logical :: opened
 
+  info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -344,6 +352,7 @@ subroutine cmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -369,24 +378,27 @@ subroutine cmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
 
   allocate(acoo, stat=ircode)
   if (ircode /= 0)   goto 993    
-  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_spk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),acoo%val(i)
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
 
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+    call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,nnzero)
+    do i=1,nnzero
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
+    end do
+    acoo%val(:) = cone
+    call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
 
-  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
     ! we are generally working with non-symmetric matrices, so
     ! we de-symmetrize what we are about to read
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,2*nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_spk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),acoo%val(i)
     end do
     nzr = nnzero
     do i=1,nnzero
@@ -398,37 +410,34 @@ subroutine cmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
       end if
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
 
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
-
-  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'hermitian')) then
-    ! we are generally working with non-symmetric matrices, so
-    ! we de-symmetrize what we are about to read
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,2*nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_spk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
     end do
+    acoo%val(:) = cone
     nzr = nnzero
     do i=1,nnzero
       if (acoo%ia(i) /= acoo%ja(i)) then 
         nzr = nzr + 1
-        acoo%val(nzr) = conjg(acoo%val(i))
         acoo%ia(nzr) = acoo%ja(i)
         acoo%ja(nzr) = acoo%ia(i)
       end if
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
-
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
 
   else
     write(psb_err_unit,*) 'read_matrix: matrix type not yet supported'
     info=904
   end if
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+
+  if (info == 0) then
+    call acoo%fix(info)
+    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  end if
+
+  if (opened) close(infile)
   return 
 
   ! open failed
@@ -456,10 +465,11 @@ subroutine cmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: iout
+  logical :: opened
 
 
   info = psb_success_
-
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then 
     if (filename == '-') then 
       iout=6
@@ -470,6 +480,7 @@ subroutine cmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
         iout=99
       endif
       open(iout,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -481,7 +492,7 @@ subroutine cmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
 
   call a%print(iout,head=mtitle)
 
-  if (iout /= 6) close(iout)
+  if (opened) close(iout)
 
 
   return
@@ -492,6 +503,7 @@ subroutine cmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
   return
 end subroutine cmm_mat_write
 
+
 subroutine lcmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)   
   use psb_base_mod
   implicit none
@@ -501,12 +513,13 @@ subroutine lcmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
   character      :: mmheader*15, fmt*15, object*10, type*10, sym*15
   character(1024)      :: line
-  integer(psb_lpk_) :: nrow, ncol, nnzero, i,nzr
-  integer(psb_ipk_) :: ircode,infile
+  integer(psb_lpk_) :: nrow, ncol, nnzero, i, nzr
+  integer(psb_ipk_) :: ircode, infile
   type(psb_lc_coo_sparse_mat), allocatable :: acoo
-  real(psb_spk_) :: are, aim
-  info = psb_success_
+  logical :: opened
 
+  info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -517,6 +530,7 @@ subroutine lcmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -542,24 +556,27 @@ subroutine lcmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
 
   allocate(acoo, stat=ircode)
   if (ircode /= 0)   goto 993    
-  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_spk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),acoo%val(i)
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
 
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+    call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,nnzero)
+    do i=1,nnzero
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
+    end do
+    acoo%val(:) = cone
+    call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
 
-  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
     ! we are generally working with non-symmetric matrices, so
     ! we de-symmetrize what we are about to read
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,2*nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_spk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),acoo%val(i)
     end do
     nzr = nnzero
     do i=1,nnzero
@@ -571,37 +588,34 @@ subroutine lcmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
       end if
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
 
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
-
-  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'hermitian')) then
-    ! we are generally working with non-symmetric matrices, so
-    ! we de-symmetrize what we are about to read
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,2*nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_spk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
     end do
+    acoo%val(:) = cone
     nzr = nnzero
     do i=1,nnzero
       if (acoo%ia(i) /= acoo%ja(i)) then 
         nzr = nzr + 1
-        acoo%val(nzr) = conjg(acoo%val(i))
         acoo%ia(nzr) = acoo%ja(i)
         acoo%ja(nzr) = acoo%ia(i)
       end if
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
-
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
 
   else
     write(psb_err_unit,*) 'read_matrix: matrix type not yet supported'
     info=904
   end if
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+
+  if (info == 0) then
+    call acoo%fix(info)
+    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  end if
+
+  if (opened) close(infile)
   return 
 
   ! open failed
@@ -629,10 +643,10 @@ subroutine lcmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: iout
-
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
-
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then 
     if (filename == '-') then 
       iout=6
@@ -643,6 +657,7 @@ subroutine lcmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
         iout=99
       endif
       open(iout,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -654,7 +669,7 @@ subroutine lcmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
 
   call a%print(iout,head=mtitle)
 
-  if (iout /= 6) close(iout)
+  if (opened) close(iout)
 
 
   return
diff --git a/util/psb_d_mmio_impl.f90 b/util/psb_d_mmio_impl.f90
index c5423f02d..4fc917a61 100644
--- a/util/psb_d_mmio_impl.f90
+++ b/util/psb_d_mmio_impl.f90
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ subroutine mm_dvet2_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
       outfile=6
     endif
   endif
-
+  
   write(outfile,'(a)') '%%MatrixMarket matrix array real general'
   write(outfile,'(a)') '% '//trim(header)
   write(outfile,'(a)') '% '
@@ -219,7 +219,9 @@ subroutine mm_dvet2_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
   ncol = size(b,2) 
   write(outfile,*) nrow, ncol
 
-  write(outfile,fmt='(es26.18,1x)') ((b(i,j), i=1,nrow),j=1,ncol)
+  write(frmtv,'(a,i0,a)') '(',ncol,'(es26.18,1x))'
+
+  write(outfile,fmt=frmtv) ((b(i,j), i=1,nrow),j=1,ncol)
 
   if (opened) close(outfile)
 
diff --git a/util/psb_s_mmio_impl.f90 b/util/psb_s_mmio_impl.f90
index 94e886849..0ffd9a93d 100644
--- a/util/psb_s_mmio_impl.f90
+++ b/util/psb_s_mmio_impl.f90
@@ -36,11 +36,13 @@ subroutine mm_svet_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), intent(out)        :: info
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
-  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j,infile
+  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, infile
   character            :: mmheader*15, fmt*15, object*10, type*10, sym*15,&
        & line*1024
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -51,6 +53,7 @@ subroutine mm_svet_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -83,8 +86,7 @@ subroutine mm_svet_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
     end do
 
   end if      ! read right hand sides
-
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+  if (opened) close(infile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -109,11 +111,13 @@ subroutine mm_svet2_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), intent(out)        :: info
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
-  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j,infile
+  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, infile
   character            :: mmheader*15, fmt*15, object*10, type*10, sym*15,&
        & line*1024
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -124,6 +128,7 @@ subroutine mm_svet2_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -154,8 +159,7 @@ subroutine mm_svet2_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
     read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) ((b(i,j), i=1,nrow),j=1,ncol)
 
   end if      ! read right hand sides
-
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+  if (opened) close(infile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -184,8 +188,10 @@ subroutine mm_svet2_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, outfile
 
   character(len=80)                 :: frmtv 
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       outfile=6
@@ -196,6 +202,7 @@ subroutine mm_svet2_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
         outfile=99
       endif
       open(outfile,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -204,17 +211,19 @@ subroutine mm_svet2_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
       outfile=6
     endif
   endif
-
+  
   write(outfile,'(a)') '%%MatrixMarket matrix array real general'
   write(outfile,'(a)') '% '//trim(header)
   write(outfile,'(a)') '% '
   nrow = size(b,1) 
   ncol = size(b,2) 
-  write(outfile,*) nrow,ncol
+  write(outfile,*) nrow, ncol
+
+  write(frmtv,'(a,i0,a)') '(',ncol,'(es26.18,1x))'
 
-  write(outfile,fmt='(es26.18,1x)') ((b(i,j), i=1,nrow),j=1,ncol)
+  write(outfile,fmt=frmtv) ((b(i,j), i=1,nrow),j=1,ncol)
 
-  if (outfile /= 6) close(outfile)
+  if (opened) close(outfile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -236,8 +245,10 @@ subroutine mm_svet1_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, outfile
 
   character(len=80)                 :: frmtv 
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       outfile=6
@@ -248,6 +259,7 @@ subroutine mm_svet1_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
         outfile=99
       endif
       open(outfile,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -270,7 +282,7 @@ subroutine mm_svet1_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
     write(outfile,frmtv) b(i)
   end do
 
-  if (outfile /= 6) close(outfile)
+  if (opened) close(outfile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -326,9 +338,10 @@ subroutine smm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, nnzero
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: ircode, i,nzr,infile
   type(psb_s_coo_sparse_mat), allocatable :: acoo
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
-
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -339,6 +352,7 @@ subroutine smm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -370,9 +384,14 @@ subroutine smm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
       read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),acoo%val(i)
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
 
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+    call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,nnzero)
+    do i=1,nnzero
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
+    end do
+    acoo%val(:) = sone
+    call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
 
   else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
     ! we are generally working with non-symmetric matrices, so
@@ -391,17 +410,34 @@ subroutine smm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
       end if
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
 
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
+    call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,2*nnzero)
+    do i=1,nnzero
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
+    end do
+    acoo%val(:) = sone
+    nzr = nnzero
+    do i=1,nnzero
+      if (acoo%ia(i) /= acoo%ja(i)) then 
+        nzr = nzr + 1
+        acoo%ia(nzr) = acoo%ja(i)
+        acoo%ja(nzr) = acoo%ia(i)
+      end if
+    end do
+    call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
 
   else
     write(psb_err_unit,*) 'read_matrix: matrix type not yet supported'
     info=904
   end if
 
+  if (info == 0) then
+    call acoo%fix(info)
+    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  end if
 
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+  if (opened) close(infile)
   return 
 
   ! open failed
@@ -429,10 +465,11 @@ subroutine smm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: iout
+  logical :: opened
 
 
   info = psb_success_
-
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then 
     if (filename == '-') then 
       iout=6
@@ -443,6 +480,7 @@ subroutine smm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
         iout=99
       endif
       open(iout,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -454,7 +492,7 @@ subroutine smm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
 
   call a%print(iout,head=mtitle)
 
-  if (iout /= 6) close(iout)
+  if (opened) close(iout)
 
 
   return
@@ -465,6 +503,7 @@ subroutine smm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
   return
 end subroutine smm_mat_write
 
+
 subroutine lsmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)   
   use psb_base_mod
   implicit none
@@ -474,12 +513,13 @@ subroutine lsmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
   character      :: mmheader*15, fmt*15, object*10, type*10, sym*15
   character(1024)      :: line
-  integer(psb_lpk_) :: nrow, ncol, nnzero, i,nzr
-  integer(psb_ipk_) :: ircode,infile
+  integer(psb_lpk_) :: nrow, ncol, nnzero, i, nzr
+  integer(psb_ipk_) :: ircode, infile
   type(psb_ls_coo_sparse_mat), allocatable :: acoo
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
-
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -490,6 +530,7 @@ subroutine lsmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -521,9 +562,14 @@ subroutine lsmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
       read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),acoo%val(i)
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
 
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+    call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,nnzero)
+    do i=1,nnzero
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
+    end do
+    acoo%val(:) = sone
+    call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
 
   else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
     ! we are generally working with non-symmetric matrices, so
@@ -542,17 +588,34 @@ subroutine lsmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
       end if
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
 
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
+    call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,2*nnzero)
+    do i=1,nnzero
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
+    end do
+    acoo%val(:) = sone
+    nzr = nnzero
+    do i=1,nnzero
+      if (acoo%ia(i) /= acoo%ja(i)) then 
+        nzr = nzr + 1
+        acoo%ia(nzr) = acoo%ja(i)
+        acoo%ja(nzr) = acoo%ia(i)
+      end if
+    end do
+    call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
 
   else
     write(psb_err_unit,*) 'read_matrix: matrix type not yet supported'
     info=904
   end if
 
+  if (info == 0) then
+    call acoo%fix(info)
+    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  end if
 
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+  if (opened) close(infile)
   return 
 
   ! open failed
@@ -580,10 +643,10 @@ subroutine lsmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: iout
-
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
-
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then 
     if (filename == '-') then 
       iout=6
@@ -594,6 +657,7 @@ subroutine lsmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
         iout=99
       endif
       open(iout,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -605,7 +669,7 @@ subroutine lsmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
 
   call a%print(iout,head=mtitle)
 
-  if (iout /= 6) close(iout)
+  if (opened) close(iout)
 
 
   return
diff --git a/util/psb_z_mmio_impl.f90 b/util/psb_z_mmio_impl.f90
index 948de2833..aa66f0edd 100644
--- a/util/psb_z_mmio_impl.f90
+++ b/util/psb_z_mmio_impl.f90
@@ -36,12 +36,13 @@ subroutine mm_zvet_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), intent(out)        :: info
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
-  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j,infile
-  real(psb_dpk_)       :: bre, bim 
+  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, infile
   character            :: mmheader*15, fmt*15, object*10, type*10, sym*15,&
        & line*1024
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ subroutine mm_zvet_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -76,15 +78,15 @@ subroutine mm_zvet_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
 
   read(line,fmt=*)nrow,ncol
 
-  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
     allocate(b(nrow),stat = ircode)
     if (ircode /= 0)   goto 993
-    do i=1, nrow
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) bre,bim
-      b(i) = cmplx(bre,bim,kind=psb_dpk_)
+    do i=1,nrow
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) b(i)
     end do
+
   end if      ! read right hand sides
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+  if (opened) close(infile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -109,12 +111,13 @@ subroutine mm_zvet2_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), intent(out)        :: info
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
-  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j,infile
-  real(psb_dpk_)       :: bre, bim 
+  integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, infile
   character            :: mmheader*15, fmt*15, object*10, type*10, sym*15,&
        & line*1024
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -125,6 +128,7 @@ subroutine mm_zvet2_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -149,18 +153,13 @@ subroutine mm_zvet2_read(b, info, iunit, filename)
 
   read(line,fmt=*)nrow,ncol
 
-  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
     allocate(b(nrow,ncol),stat = ircode)
     if (ircode /= 0)   goto 993
-    do j=1, ncol
-      do i=1, nrow
-        read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) bre,bim
-        b(i,j) = cmplx(bre,bim,kind=psb_dpk_)
-      end do
-    end do
+    read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) ((b(i,j), i=1,nrow),j=1,ncol)
 
   end if      ! read right hand sides
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+  if (opened) close(infile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -189,8 +188,10 @@ subroutine mm_zvet2_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, outfile
 
   character(len=80)                 :: frmtv 
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       outfile=6
@@ -201,6 +202,7 @@ subroutine mm_zvet2_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
         outfile=99
       endif
       open(outfile,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -209,17 +211,19 @@ subroutine mm_zvet2_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
       outfile=6
     endif
   endif
-
-  write(outfile,'(a)') '%%MatrixMarket matrix array complex general'
+  
+  write(outfile,'(a)') '%%MatrixMarket matrix array real general'
   write(outfile,'(a)') '% '//trim(header)
   write(outfile,'(a)') '% '
   nrow = size(b,1) 
   ncol = size(b,2) 
-  write(outfile,*) nrow,ncol
+  write(outfile,*) nrow, ncol
+
+  write(frmtv,'(a,i0,a)') '(',ncol,'(es26.18,1x))'
 
-  write(outfile,fmt='(2(es26.18,1x))') ((b(i,j), i=1,nrow),j=1,ncol)
+  write(outfile,fmt=frmtv) ((b(i,j), i=1,nrow),j=1,ncol)
 
-  if (outfile /= 6) close(outfile)
+  if (opened) close(outfile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -241,8 +245,10 @@ subroutine mm_zvet1_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, i,root, np,  me,  ircode, j, outfile
 
   character(len=80)                 :: frmtv 
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       outfile=6
@@ -253,6 +259,7 @@ subroutine mm_zvet1_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
         outfile=99
       endif
       open(outfile,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -269,13 +276,13 @@ subroutine mm_zvet1_write(b, header, info, iunit, filename)
   ncol = 1
   write(outfile,*) nrow,ncol
 
-  write(frmtv,'(a,i0,a)') '(',2*ncol,'(es26.18,1x))'
+  write(frmtv,'(a,i0,a)') '(',ncol,'(es26.18,1x))'
 
   do i=1,size(b,1) 
     write(outfile,frmtv) b(i)
   end do
 
-  if (outfile /= 6) close(outfile)
+  if (opened) close(outfile)
 
   return 
   ! open failed
@@ -331,9 +338,10 @@ subroutine zmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: nrow, ncol, nnzero
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: ircode, i,nzr,infile
   type(psb_z_coo_sparse_mat), allocatable :: acoo
-  real(psb_dpk_) :: are, aim
-  info = psb_success_
+  logical :: opened
 
+  info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -344,6 +352,7 @@ subroutine zmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -369,24 +378,27 @@ subroutine zmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
 
   allocate(acoo, stat=ircode)
   if (ircode /= 0)   goto 993    
-  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_dpk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),acoo%val(i)
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
 
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+    call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,nnzero)
+    do i=1,nnzero
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
+    end do
+    acoo%val(:) = zone
+    call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
 
-  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
     ! we are generally working with non-symmetric matrices, so
     ! we de-symmetrize what we are about to read
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,2*nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_dpk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),acoo%val(i)
     end do
     nzr = nnzero
     do i=1,nnzero
@@ -398,37 +410,34 @@ subroutine zmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
       end if
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
-
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
 
-  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'hermitian')) then
-    ! we are generally working with non-symmetric matrices, so
-    ! we de-symmetrize what we are about to read
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,2*nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_dpk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
     end do
+    acoo%val(:) = zone
     nzr = nnzero
     do i=1,nnzero
       if (acoo%ia(i) /= acoo%ja(i)) then 
         nzr = nzr + 1
-        acoo%val(nzr) = conjg(acoo%val(i))
         acoo%ia(nzr) = acoo%ja(i)
         acoo%ja(nzr) = acoo%ia(i)
       end if
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
-
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
 
   else
     write(psb_err_unit,*) 'read_matrix: matrix type not yet supported'
     info=904
   end if
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+
+  if (info == 0) then
+    call acoo%fix(info)
+    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  end if
+
+  if (opened) close(infile)
   return 
 
   ! open failed
@@ -446,6 +455,7 @@ subroutine zmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
   return
 end subroutine zmm_mat_read
 
+
 subroutine zmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
   use psb_base_mod
   implicit none
@@ -455,10 +465,11 @@ subroutine zmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: iout
+  logical :: opened
 
 
   info = psb_success_
-
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then 
     if (filename == '-') then 
       iout=6
@@ -469,6 +480,7 @@ subroutine zmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
         iout=99
       endif
       open(iout,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -480,7 +492,7 @@ subroutine zmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
 
   call a%print(iout,head=mtitle)
 
-  if (iout /= 6) close(iout)
+  if (opened) close(iout)
 
 
   return
@@ -501,12 +513,13 @@ subroutine lzmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
   character      :: mmheader*15, fmt*15, object*10, type*10, sym*15
   character(1024)      :: line
-  integer(psb_lpk_) :: nrow, ncol, nnzero, i,nzr
-  integer(psb_ipk_) :: ircode,infile
+  integer(psb_lpk_) :: nrow, ncol, nnzero, i, nzr
+  integer(psb_ipk_) :: ircode, infile
   type(psb_lz_coo_sparse_mat), allocatable :: acoo
-  real(psb_dpk_) :: are, aim
-  info = psb_success_
+  logical :: opened
 
+  info = psb_success_
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then
     if (filename == '-') then 
       infile=5
@@ -517,6 +530,7 @@ subroutine lzmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
         infile=99
       endif
       open(infile,file=filename, status='OLD', err=901, action='READ')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -542,24 +556,27 @@ subroutine lzmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
 
   allocate(acoo, stat=ircode)
   if (ircode /= 0)   goto 993    
-  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+  if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_dpk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),acoo%val(i)
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
 
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'general')) then
+    call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,nnzero)
+    do i=1,nnzero
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
+    end do
+    acoo%val(:) = zone
+    call acoo%set_nzeros(nnzero)
 
-  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'real').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
     ! we are generally working with non-symmetric matrices, so
     ! we de-symmetrize what we are about to read
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,2*nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_dpk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),acoo%val(i)
     end do
     nzr = nnzero
     do i=1,nnzero
@@ -571,37 +588,34 @@ subroutine lzmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
       end if
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
 
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
-
-  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'complex').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'hermitian')) then
-    ! we are generally working with non-symmetric matrices, so
-    ! we de-symmetrize what we are about to read
+  else if ((psb_tolower(type) == 'pattern').and.(psb_tolower(sym) == 'symmetric')) then
     call acoo%allocate(nrow,ncol,2*nnzero)
     do i=1,nnzero
-      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i),are,aim
-      acoo%val(i) = cmplx(are,aim,kind=psb_dpk_)
+      read(infile,fmt=*,end=902,err=905) acoo%ia(i),acoo%ja(i)
     end do
+    acoo%val(:) = zone
     nzr = nnzero
     do i=1,nnzero
       if (acoo%ia(i) /= acoo%ja(i)) then 
         nzr = nzr + 1
-        acoo%val(nzr) = conjg(acoo%val(i))
         acoo%ia(nzr) = acoo%ja(i)
         acoo%ja(nzr) = acoo%ia(i)
       end if
     end do
     call acoo%set_nzeros(nzr)
-    call acoo%fix(info)
-
-    call a%mv_from(acoo)
 
   else
     write(psb_err_unit,*) 'read_matrix: matrix type not yet supported'
     info=904
   end if
-  if (infile /= 5) close(infile)
+
+  if (info == 0) then
+    call acoo%fix(info)
+    call a%mv_from(acoo)
+  end if
+
+  if (opened) close(infile)
   return 
 
   ! open failed
@@ -619,6 +633,7 @@ subroutine lzmm_mat_read(a, info, iunit, filename)
   return
 end subroutine lzmm_mat_read
 
+
 subroutine lzmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
   use psb_base_mod
   implicit none
@@ -628,10 +643,10 @@ subroutine lzmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
   integer(psb_ipk_), optional, intent(in)          :: iunit
   character(len=*), optional, intent(in) :: filename
   integer(psb_ipk_) :: iout
-
+  logical :: opened
 
   info = psb_success_
-
+  opened = .false.
   if (present(filename)) then 
     if (filename == '-') then 
       iout=6
@@ -642,6 +657,7 @@ subroutine lzmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
         iout=99
       endif
       open(iout,file=filename, err=901, action='WRITE')
+      opened = .true.
     endif
   else 
     if (present(iunit)) then 
@@ -653,7 +669,7 @@ subroutine lzmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
 
   call a%print(iout,head=mtitle)
 
-  if (iout /= 6) close(iout)
+  if (opened) close(iout)
 
 
   return
@@ -663,4 +679,3 @@ subroutine lzmm_mat_write(a,mtitle,info,iunit,filename)
   write(psb_err_unit,*) 'Error while opening ',filename
   return
 end subroutine lzmm_mat_write
-