diff --git a/applications/test/dictionary/dictionaryTest.C b/applications/test/dictionary/dictionaryTest.C
index 37ae9bd90c..d8580bdf54 100644
--- a/applications/test/dictionary/dictionaryTest.C
+++ b/applications/test/dictionary/dictionaryTest.C
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ Description
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 #include "IOstreams.H"
+#include "IOobject.H"
 #include "IFstream.H"
 #include "dictionary.H"
 
@@ -40,18 +41,12 @@ using namespace Foam;
 
 int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
-    IFstream dictStream("testDict");
-    dictionary testDict(dictStream);
+    Info<< dictionary(IFstream("testDict")()) << endl;
 
-    Info<< testDict << endl;
+    IOobject::writeDivider(Info);
 
     {
-        dictionary someDict;
-        someDict.add(keyType("a.*", true), "subdictValue");
-
-        dictionary dict;
-        dict.add("someDict", someDict);
-        dict.add(keyType(".*", true), "parentValue");
+        dictionary dict(IFstream("testDictRegex")());
 
         Info<< "dict:" << dict << endl;
 
@@ -64,6 +59,18 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         Info<< "Recursive wildcard find \"def\" in sub directory : "
             << dict.subDict("someDict").lookup("def", true)
             << endl;
+        Info<< "Recursive wildcard find \"foo\" in sub directory : "
+            << dict.subDict("someDict").lookup("foo", true)
+            << endl;
+        Info<< "Recursive wildcard find \"fooz\" in sub directory : "
+            << dict.subDict("someDict").lookup("fooz", true)
+            << endl;
+        Info<< "Recursive wildcard find \"bar\" in sub directory : "
+            << dict.subDict("someDict").lookup("bar", true)
+            << endl;
+        Info<< "Recursive wildcard find \"xxx\" in sub directory : "
+            << dict.subDict("someDict").lookup("xxx", true)
+            << endl;
     }
 
     return 0;
diff --git a/applications/test/dictionary/testDictRegex b/applications/test/dictionary/testDictRegex
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d4252cd3be
--- /dev/null
+++ b/applications/test/dictionary/testDictRegex
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+/*-------------------------------*- C++ -*---------------------------------*\
+|    =========                                                              |
+|    \\      /     OpenFOAM                                                 |
+|     \\    /                                                               |
+|      \\  /       The Open Source CFD Toolbox                              |
+|       \\/                                        http://www.OpenFOAM.org  |
+\*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+FoamFile
+{
+    version         2.0;
+    format          ascii;
+    class           dictionary;
+    object          testDictRegex;
+}
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+#inputMode  merge
+
+".*"        parentValue1;
+"[n-z].*"   parentValue2;
+"f.*"       parentValue3;
+
+someDict
+{
+    foo         subdictValue0;
+    bar         $f.*;         // should this really match 'foo'?
+
+    // result is dependent on insert order!
+    "a.*c"      subdictValue3;
+    "ab.*"      subdictValue2;
+    "a.*"       subdictValue1;
+    abcd        subdictValue4;
+}
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
diff --git a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeFvSolution/Make/files b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeFvSolution/Make/files
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f667ed655e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeFvSolution/Make/files
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+foamUpgradeFvSolution.C
+
+EXE = $(FOAM_APPBIN)/foamUpgradeFvSolution
diff --git a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeFvSolution/Make/options b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeFvSolution/Make/options
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e69de29bb2
diff --git a/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeFvSolution/foamUpgradeFvSolution.C b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeFvSolution/foamUpgradeFvSolution.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d9e1402a34
--- /dev/null
+++ b/applications/utilities/preProcessing/foamUpgradeFvSolution/foamUpgradeFvSolution.C
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 1991-2008 OpenCFD Ltd.
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+    under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
+    Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your
+    option) any later version.
+
+    OpenFOAM is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+    ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+    FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+    for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with OpenFOAM; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+    Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
+
+Application
+    foamUpgradeFvSolution
+
+Description
+    Simple tool to upgrade the syntax of system/fvSolution::solvers
+
+Usage
+
+    - foamUpgradeFvSolution [OPTION]
+
+    @param -test \n
+    Suppress writing the updated fvSolution file
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#include "argList.H"
+#include "Time.H"
+#include "IOdictionary.H"
+#include "solution.H"
+
+using namespace Foam;
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+// Main program:
+
+int main(int argc, char *argv[])
+{
+    argList::noParallel();
+    argList::validOptions.insert("test", "");
+
+#   include "setRootCase.H"
+#   include "createTime.H"
+
+    IOdictionary solutionDict
+    (
+        IOobject
+        (
+            "fvSolution",
+            runTime.system(),
+            runTime,
+            IOobject::MUST_READ,
+            IOobject::NO_WRITE,
+            false
+        )
+    );
+
+    label nChanged = 0;
+    entry* e = solutionDict.lookupEntryPtr("solvers", false, false);
+    if (e && e->isDict())
+    {
+        nChanged = solution::upgradeSolverDict(e->dict(), true);
+    }
+
+    Info<< nChanged << " solver settings changed" << nl << endl;
+    if (nChanged)
+    {
+        if (args.options().found("test"))
+        {
+            Info<< "-test option: no changes made" << nl << endl;
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            mv
+            (
+                solutionDict.objectPath(),
+                solutionDict.objectPath() + ".old"
+            );
+
+            solutionDict.regIOobject::write();
+
+            Info<< "Backup to    " << (solutionDict.objectPath() + ".old") << nl
+                << "Write  to    " << solutionDict.objectPath() << nl << endl;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C
index 265a2944cb..c0b4b6fb73 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C
@@ -697,7 +697,7 @@ bool Foam::dictionary::changeKeyword
             IDLList<entry>::replace(iter2(), iter());
             delete iter2();
             hashedEntries_.erase(iter2);
-            
+
         }
         else
         {
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H
index b1d0d186f6..4ace026a01 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H
@@ -163,16 +163,16 @@ public:
         dictionary(Istream&);
 
         //- Construct as copy given the parent dictionary
-        dictionary(const dictionary& parentDict, const dictionary& dict);
+        dictionary(const dictionary& parentDict, const dictionary&);
 
         //- Construct top-level dictionary as copy
-        dictionary(const dictionary& dict);
+        dictionary(const dictionary&);
 
         //- Construct and return clone
         Foam::autoPtr<dictionary> clone() const;
 
         //- Construct top-level dictionary on freestore from Istream
-        static Foam::autoPtr<dictionary> New(Istream& is);
+        static Foam::autoPtr<dictionary> New(Istream&);
 
 
     // Destructor
@@ -211,12 +211,12 @@ public:
 
             //- Search dictionary for given keyword
             //  If recursive search parent dictionaries
-            bool found(const word& keyword, bool recursive=false) const;
+            bool found(const word&, bool recursive=false) const;
 
             //- Find and return an entry data stream pointer if present
             //  otherwise return NULL.
-            //  If recursive search parent dictionaries. If wildCardMatch
-            //  use wildcards.
+            //  If recursive search parent dictionaries.
+            //  If wildCardMatch use wildcards.
             const entry* lookupEntryPtr
             (
                 const word&,
@@ -226,8 +226,8 @@ public:
 
             //- Find and return an entry data stream pointer for manipulation
             //  if present otherwise return NULL.
-            //  If recursive search parent dictionaries. If wildCardMatch
-            //  use wildcards.
+            //  If recursive search parent dictionaries.
+            //  If wildCardMatch use wildcards.
             entry* lookupEntryPtr
             (
                 const word&,
@@ -236,8 +236,8 @@ public:
             );
 
             //- Find and return an entry data stream if present otherwise error.
-            //  If recursive search parent dictionaries. If wildCardMatch
-            //  use wildcards.
+            //  If recursive search parent dictionaries.
+            //  If wildCardMatch use wildcards.
             const entry& lookupEntry
             (
                 const word&,
@@ -331,13 +331,13 @@ public:
 
             //- Add a scalar entry
             //  optionally overwrite an existing entry
-            void add (const keyType&, const scalar, bool overwrite=false);
+            void add(const keyType&, const scalar, bool overwrite=false);
 
             //- Add a dictionary entry
             //  optionally merge with an existing sub-dictionary
             void add
             (
-                const keyType& keyword,
+                const keyType&,
                 const dictionary&,
                 bool mergeEntry=false
             );
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ public:
             //- Add a T entry
             //  optionally overwrite an existing entry
             template<class T>
-            void add(const keyType& keyword, const T&, bool overwrite=false);
+            void add(const keyType&, const T&, bool overwrite=false);
 
             //- Assign a new entry, overwrite any existing entry
             void set(entry*);
@@ -354,14 +354,14 @@ public:
             void set(const entry&);
 
             //- Assign a dictionary entry, overwrite any existing entry
-            void set(const keyType& keyword, const dictionary&);
+            void set(const keyType&, const dictionary&);
 
             //- Assign a T entry, overwrite any existing entry
             template<class T>
-            void set(const keyType& keyword, const T&);
+            void set(const keyType&, const T&);
 
             //- Remove an entry specified by keyword
-            bool remove(const word& keyword);
+            bool remove(const word&);
 
             //- Change the keyword for an entry,
             //  optionally forcing overwrite of an existing entry
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ public:
             (
                 const keyType& oldKeyword,
                 const keyType& newKeyword,
-                bool forceOverwrite = false
+                bool forceOverwrite=false
             );
 
             //- Merge entries from the given dictionary.
@@ -382,7 +382,7 @@ public:
 
         // Write
 
-            void write(Ostream& os, bool subDict = true) const;
+            void write(Ostream&, bool subDict=true) const;
 
 
     // Member Operators
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C b/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C
index a2faa64133..ef8f88bfbd 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.C
@@ -37,19 +37,17 @@ License
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-namespace Foam
-{
-    SLList<string>    argList::validArgs;
-    HashTable<string> argList::validOptions;
-    HashTable<string> argList::validParOptions;
-}
+Foam::SLList<Foam::string>    Foam::argList::validArgs;
+Foam::HashTable<Foam::string> Foam::argList::validOptions;
+Foam::HashTable<Foam::string> Foam::argList::validParOptions;
+bool Foam::argList::bannerEnabled(true);
 
 
 Foam::argList::initValidTables::initValidTables()
 {
-    validOptions.insert("case", "dir");
-    validOptions.insert("parallel", "");
-    validParOptions.insert("parallel", "");
+    validOptions.set("case", "dir");
+    validOptions.set("parallel", "");
+    validParOptions.set("parallel", "");
 
     Pstream::addValidParOptions(validParOptions);
 }
@@ -138,7 +136,7 @@ void Foam::argList::getRootCase()
         casePath = cwd();
 
         // we could add this back in as '-case'?
-        // options_.insert("case", casePath);
+        // options_.set("case", casePath);
     }
 
     rootPath_   = casePath.path();
@@ -285,7 +283,7 @@ Foam::argList::argList
     string timeString = clock::clockTime();
 
     // Print the banner once only for parallel runs
-    if (Pstream::master())
+    if (Pstream::master() && bannerEnabled)
     {
         IOobject::writeBanner(Info, true);
         Info<< "Exec   : " << argListString.c_str() << nl
@@ -315,8 +313,6 @@ Foam::argList::argList
         // For the master
         if (Pstream::master())
         {
-            fileNameList roots;
-
             // establish rootPath_/globalCase_/case_ for master
             getRootCase();
 
@@ -333,45 +329,25 @@ Foam::argList::argList
                     << exit(FatalError);
             }
 
-            dictionary decompositionDict(decompDictStream);
-
-            Switch distributed(false);
-
-            if
-            (
-                decompositionDict.readIfPresent("distributed", distributed)
-             && distributed
-            )
-            {
-                decompositionDict.lookup("roots") >> roots;
-
-                if (roots.size() != Pstream::nProcs()-1)
-                {
-                    FatalError
-                        << "number of entries in decompositionDict::roots"
-                        << " is not equal to the number of slaves "
-                        << Pstream::nProcs()-1
-                        << exit(FatalError);
-                }
-            }
-
+            dictionary decompDict(decompDictStream);
 
             label dictNProcs
             (
                 readLabel
                 (
-                    decompositionDict.lookup("numberOfSubdomains")
+                    decompDict.lookup("numberOfSubdomains")
                 )
             );
 
-            // Check number of processors. We have nProcs(number of
-            // actual processes), dictNProcs(wanted number of processes read
-            // from decompositionDict) and nProcDirs(number of processor
-            // directories - n/a when running distributed)
+            // Check number of processors.
+            // nProcs     => number of actual procs
+            // dictNProcs => number of procs specified in decompositionDict
+            // nProcDirs  => number of processor directories
+            //               (n/a when running distributed)
             //
             // - normal running : nProcs = dictNProcs = nProcDirs
-            // - decomposition to more processors : nProcs = dictNProcs
-            // - decomposition to less processors : nProcs = nProcDirs
+            // - decomposition to more  processors : nProcs = dictNProcs
+            // - decomposition to fewer processors : nProcs = nProcDirs
             if (dictNProcs > Pstream::nProcs())
             {
                 FatalError
@@ -382,38 +358,23 @@ Foam::argList::argList
                     << exit(FatalError);
             }
 
-            if (!distributed && dictNProcs < Pstream::nProcs())
+            // distributed data
+            if (decompDict.lookupOrDefault<Switch>("distributed", false))
             {
-                // Possibly going to fewer processors.
-                // Check if all procDirs are there.
-                label nProcDirs = 0;
-                while
-                (
-                    dir
-                    (
-                        rootPath_/globalCase_/"processor"
-                      + name(++nProcDirs)
-                    )
-                )
-                {}
+                fileNameList roots;
+                decompDict.lookup("roots") >> roots;
 
-                if (nProcDirs != Pstream::nProcs())
+                if (roots.size() != Pstream::nProcs()-1)
                 {
                     FatalError
-                        << "number of processor directories = "
-                        << nProcDirs
-                        << " is not equal to the number of processors = "
-                        << Pstream::nProcs()
+                        << "number of entries in decompositionDict::roots"
+                        << " is not equal to the number of slaves "
+                        << Pstream::nProcs()-1
                         << exit(FatalError);
                 }
-            }
-
-            // distributed data
-            if (roots.size())
-            {
-                bool hadOptCase = options_.found("case");
 
                 // Distribute the master's argument list (with new root)
+                bool hadCaseOpt = options_.found("case");
                 for
                 (
                     int slave=Pstream::firstSlave();
@@ -421,8 +382,7 @@ Foam::argList::argList
                     slave++
                 )
                 {
-                    options_.erase("case");
-                    options_.insert
+                    options_.set
                     (
                         "case",
                         fileName(roots[slave-1])/globalCase_
@@ -431,17 +391,42 @@ Foam::argList::argList
                     OPstream toSlave(Pstream::scheduled, slave);
                     toSlave << args_ << options_;
                 }
-
                 options_.erase("case");
 
                 // restore [-case dir]
-                if (hadOptCase)
+                if (hadCaseOpt)
                 {
-                    options_.insert("case", rootPath_/globalCase_);
+                    options_.set("case", rootPath_/globalCase_);
                 }
             }
             else
             {
+                // Possibly going to fewer processors.
+                // Check if all procDirs are there.
+                if (dictNProcs < Pstream::nProcs())
+                {
+                    label nProcDirs = 0;
+                    while
+                    (
+                        dir
+                        (
+                            rootPath_/globalCase_/"processor"
+                          + name(++nProcDirs)
+                        )
+                    )
+                    {}
+
+                    if (nProcDirs != Pstream::nProcs())
+                    {
+                        FatalError
+                            << "number of processor directories = "
+                            << nProcDirs
+                            << " is not equal to the number of processors = "
+                            << Pstream::nProcs()
+                            << exit(FatalError);
+                    }
+                }
+
                 // Distribute the master's argument list (unaltered)
                 for
                 (
@@ -472,7 +457,6 @@ Foam::argList::argList
     {
         // establish rootPath_/globalCase_/case_
         getRootCase();
-
         case_ = globalCase_;
     }
 
@@ -510,21 +494,21 @@ Foam::argList::argList
     }
 
 
-    if (Pstream::master())
+    if (Pstream::master() && bannerEnabled)
     {
         Info<< "Case   : " << (rootPath_/globalCase_).c_str() << nl
             << "nProcs : " << nProcs << endl;
-    }
 
-    if (parRunControl_.parRun() && Pstream::master())
-    {
-        Info<< "Slaves : " << slaveProcs << nl
-            << "Pstream initialized with:" << nl
-            << "    floatTransfer     : " << Pstream::floatTransfer << nl
-            << "    nProcsSimpleSum   : " << Pstream::nProcsSimpleSum << nl
-            << "    commsType         : "
-            << Pstream::commsTypeNames[Pstream::defaultCommsType]
-            << endl;
+        if (parRunControl_.parRun())
+        {
+            Info<< "Slaves : " << slaveProcs << nl
+                << "Pstream initialized with:" << nl
+                << "    floatTransfer     : " << Pstream::floatTransfer << nl
+                << "    nProcsSimpleSum   : " << Pstream::nProcsSimpleSum << nl
+                << "    commsType         : "
+                << Pstream::commsTypeNames[Pstream::defaultCommsType]
+                << endl;
+        }
     }
 
     jobInfo.add("root", rootPath_);
@@ -546,7 +530,7 @@ Foam::argList::argList
     sigQuit_.set();
     sigSegv_.set();
 
-    if (Pstream::master())
+    if (Pstream::master() && bannerEnabled)
     {
         Info<< endl;
         IOobject::writeDivider(Info);
@@ -564,6 +548,12 @@ Foam::argList::~argList()
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+void Foam::argList::noBanner()
+{
+    bannerEnabled = false;
+}
+
+
 void Foam::argList::noParallel()
 {
     validOptions.erase("parallel");
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.H b/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.H
index 648295da84..60dd1c01e9 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/global/argList/argList.H
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ namespace Foam
 class argList
 {
     // Private data
+        static bool bannerEnabled;
 
         stringList args_;
         HashTable<string> options_;
@@ -213,6 +214,9 @@ public:
 
         // Edit
 
+            //- Disable emitting the banner information
+            static void noBanner();
+
             //- Remove the parallel options
             static void noParallel();
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrix.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrix.H
index 33fcda639d..6a6a09ab92 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrix.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrix.H
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ public:
                     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
                     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
                     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-                    Istream& solverData
+                    const dictionary& solverControls
                 ),
                 (
                     fieldName,
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ public:
                     interfaceBouCoeffs,
                     interfaceIntCoeffs,
                     interfaces,
-                    solverData
+                    solverControls
                 )
             );
 
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ public:
                     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
                     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
                     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-                    Istream& solverData
+                    const dictionary& solverControls
                 ),
                 (
                     fieldName,
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ public:
                     interfaceBouCoeffs,
                     interfaceIntCoeffs,
                     interfaces,
-                    solverData
+                    solverControls
                 )
             );
 
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ public:
                 const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
                 const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
                 const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-                Istream& solverData
+                const dictionary& solverControls
             );
 
         // Selectors
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ public:
                 const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
                 const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
                 const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-                Istream& solverData
+                const dictionary& solverControls
             );
 
 
@@ -359,7 +359,7 @@ public:
 
 
             //- Read and reset the solver parameters from the given stream
-            virtual void read(Istream& solverData);
+            virtual void read(const dictionary&);
 
             virtual solverPerformance solve
             (
@@ -467,7 +467,7 @@ public:
                 const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
                 const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
                 const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-                Istream& smootherData
+                const dictionary& solverControls
             );
 
 
@@ -531,6 +531,9 @@ public:
 
     public:
 
+        //- Find the preconditioner name (directly or from a sub-dictionary)
+        static word getName(const dictionary&);
+
         //- Runtime type information
         virtual const word& type() const = 0;
 
@@ -544,9 +547,9 @@ public:
                 symMatrix,
                 (
                     const solver& sol,
-                    Istream& preconditionerData
+                    const dictionary& solverControls
                 ),
-                (sol, preconditionerData)
+                (sol, solverControls)
             );
 
             declareRunTimeSelectionTable
@@ -556,9 +559,9 @@ public:
                 asymMatrix,
                 (
                     const solver& sol,
-                    Istream& preconditionerData
+                    const dictionary& solverControls
                 ),
-                (sol, preconditionerData)
+                (sol, solverControls)
             );
 
 
@@ -579,7 +582,7 @@ public:
             static autoPtr<preconditioner> New
             (
                 const solver& sol,
-                Istream& preconditionerData
+                const dictionary& solverControls
             );
 
 
@@ -593,7 +596,7 @@ public:
 
             //- Read and reset the preconditioner parameters
             //  from the given stream
-            virtual void read(Istream& preconditionerData)
+            virtual void read(const dictionary&)
             {}
 
             //- Return wA the preconditioned form of residual rA
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixPreconditioner.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixPreconditioner.C
index 82f9a19ac2..cb4a645df1 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixPreconditioner.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixPreconditioner.C
@@ -37,29 +37,66 @@ namespace Foam
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+Foam::word
+Foam::lduMatrix::preconditioner::getName
+(
+    const dictionary& solverControls
+)
+{
+    word name;
+
+    // handle primitive or dictionary entry
+    const entry& e = solverControls.lookupEntry("preconditioner", false, false);
+    if (e.isDict())
+    {
+        e.dict().lookup("preconditioner") >> name;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        e.stream() >> name;
+    }
+
+    return name;
+}
+
+
 Foam::autoPtr<Foam::lduMatrix::preconditioner>
 Foam::lduMatrix::preconditioner::New
 (
     const solver& sol,
-    Istream& preconditionerData
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 {
-    word preconditionerName(preconditionerData);
+    word name;
+
+    // handle primitive or dictionary entry
+    const entry& e = solverControls.lookupEntry("preconditioner", false, false);
+    if (e.isDict())
+    {
+        e.dict().lookup("preconditioner") >> name;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        e.stream() >> name;
+    }
+
+    const dictionary& controls = e.isDict() ? e.dict() : dictionary::null;
 
     if (sol.matrix().symmetric())
     {
         symMatrixConstructorTable::iterator constructorIter =
-            symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(preconditionerName);
+            symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(name);
 
         if (constructorIter == symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->end())
         {
             FatalIOErrorIn
             (
-                "lduMatrix::preconditioner::New(const solver&, Istream&)",
-                preconditionerData
+                "lduMatrix::preconditioner::New"
+                "(const solver&, const dictionary&)",
+                controls
             )   << "Unknown symmetric matrix preconditioner "
-                << preconditionerName << endl << endl
-                << "Valid symmetric matrix preconditioners are :" << endl
+                << name << nl << nl
+                << "Valid symmetric matrix preconditioners :" << endl
                 << symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->toc()
                 << exit(FatalIOError);
         }
@@ -69,24 +106,25 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::preconditioner::New
             constructorIter()
             (
                 sol,
-                preconditionerData
+                controls
             )
         );
     }
     else if (sol.matrix().asymmetric())
     {
         asymMatrixConstructorTable::iterator constructorIter =
-            asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(preconditionerName);
+            asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(name);
 
         if (constructorIter == asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->end())
         {
             FatalIOErrorIn
             (
-                "lduMatrix::preconditioner::New(const solver&, Istream&)",
-                preconditionerData
+                "lduMatrix::preconditioner::New"
+                "(const solver&, const dictionary&)",
+                controls
             )   << "Unknown asymmetric matrix preconditioner "
-                << preconditionerName << endl << endl
-                << "Valid asymmetric matrix preconditioners are :" << endl
+                << name << nl << nl
+                << "Valid asymmetric matrix preconditioners :" << endl
                 << asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->toc()
                 << exit(FatalIOError);
         }
@@ -96,7 +134,7 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::preconditioner::New
             constructorIter()
             (
                 sol,
-                preconditionerData
+                controls
             )
         );
     }
@@ -104,9 +142,10 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::preconditioner::New
     {
         FatalIOErrorIn
         (
-            "lduMatrix::preconditioner::New(const solver&, Istream&)",
-            preconditionerData
-        )   << "cannot preconditione incomplete matrix, "
+            "lduMatrix::preconditioner::New"
+            "(const solver&, const dictionary&)",
+            controls
+        )   << "cannot solve incomplete matrix, "
                "no diagonal or off-diagonal coefficient"
             << exit(FatalIOError);
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixSmoother.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixSmoother.C
index 7554e4085c..e9aa429683 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixSmoother.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixSmoother.C
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ namespace Foam
     defineRunTimeSelectionTable(lduMatrix::smoother, asymMatrix);
 }
 
-
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 Foam::autoPtr<Foam::lduMatrix::smoother> Foam::lduMatrix::smoother::New
@@ -44,23 +43,37 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::lduMatrix::smoother> Foam::lduMatrix::smoother::New
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    Istream& smootherData
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 {
-    word smootherName(smootherData);
+    word name;
+
+    // handle primitive or dictionary entry
+    const entry& e = solverControls.lookupEntry("smoother", false, false);
+    if (e.isDict())
+    {
+        e.dict().lookup("smoother") >> name;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        e.stream() >> name;
+    }
+
+    // not (yet?) needed:
+    // const dictionary& controls = e.isDict() ? e.dict() : dictionary::null;
 
     if (matrix.symmetric())
     {
         symMatrixConstructorTable::iterator constructorIter =
-            symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(smootherName);
+            symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(name);
 
         if (constructorIter == symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->end())
         {
             FatalIOErrorIn
             (
-                "lduMatrix::smoother::New", smootherData
-            )   << "Unknown symmetric matrix smoother " << smootherName
-                << endl << endl
+                "lduMatrix::smoother::New", solverControls
+            )   << "Unknown symmetric matrix smoother "
+                << name << nl << nl
                 << "Valid symmetric matrix smoothers are :" << endl
                 << symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->toc()
                 << exit(FatalIOError);
@@ -81,15 +94,15 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::lduMatrix::smoother> Foam::lduMatrix::smoother::New
     else if (matrix.asymmetric())
     {
         asymMatrixConstructorTable::iterator constructorIter =
-            asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(smootherName);
+            asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(name);
 
         if (constructorIter == asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->end())
         {
             FatalIOErrorIn
             (
-                "lduMatrix::smoother::New", smootherData
-            )   << "Unknown asymmetric matrix smoother " << smootherName
-                << endl << endl
+                "lduMatrix::smoother::New", solverControls
+            )   << "Unknown asymmetric matrix smoother "
+                << name << nl << nl
                 << "Valid asymmetric matrix smoothers are :" << endl
                 << asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->toc()
                 << exit(FatalIOError);
@@ -111,8 +124,9 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::lduMatrix::smoother> Foam::lduMatrix::smoother::New
     {
         FatalIOErrorIn
         (
-            "lduMatrix::smoother::New", smootherData
-        )   << "cannot solve incomplete matrix, no off-diagonal coefficients"
+            "lduMatrix::smoother::New", solverControls
+        )   << "cannot solve incomplete matrix, "
+               "no diagonal or off-diagonal coefficient"
             << exit(FatalIOError);
 
         return autoPtr<lduMatrix::smoother>(NULL);
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixSolver.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixSolver.C
index 19fd2435a0..4b3b8d97a9 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixSolver.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/lduMatrix/lduMatrixSolver.C
@@ -45,10 +45,10 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::lduMatrix::solver> Foam::lduMatrix::solver::New
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    Istream& solverData
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 {
-    word solverName(solverData);
+    word name(solverControls.lookup("solver"));
 
     if (matrix.diagonal())
     {
@@ -61,22 +61,21 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::lduMatrix::solver> Foam::lduMatrix::solver::New
                 interfaceBouCoeffs,
                 interfaceIntCoeffs,
                 interfaces,
-                solverData
+                solverControls
             )
         );
     }
     else if (matrix.symmetric())
     {
         symMatrixConstructorTable::iterator constructorIter =
-            symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(solverName);
+            symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(name);
 
         if (constructorIter == symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->end())
         {
             FatalIOErrorIn
             (
-                "lduMatrix::solver::New", solverData
-            )   << "Unknown symmetric matrix solver " << solverName
-                << endl << endl
+                "lduMatrix::solver::New", solverControls
+            )   << "Unknown symmetric matrix solver " << name << nl << nl
                 << "Valid symmetric matrix solvers are :" << endl
                 << symMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->toc()
                 << exit(FatalIOError);
@@ -91,22 +90,21 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::lduMatrix::solver> Foam::lduMatrix::solver::New
                 interfaceBouCoeffs,
                 interfaceIntCoeffs,
                 interfaces,
-                solverData
+                solverControls
             )
         );
     }
     else if (matrix.asymmetric())
     {
         asymMatrixConstructorTable::iterator constructorIter =
-            asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(solverName);
+            asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->find(name);
 
         if (constructorIter == asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->end())
         {
             FatalIOErrorIn
             (
-                "lduMatrix::solver::New", solverData
-            )   << "Unknown asymmetric matrix solver " << solverName
-                << endl << endl
+                "lduMatrix::solver::New", solverControls
+            )   << "Unknown asymmetric matrix solver " << name << nl << nl
                 << "Valid asymmetric matrix solvers are :" << endl
                 << asymMatrixConstructorTablePtr_->toc()
                 << exit(FatalIOError);
@@ -121,7 +119,7 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::lduMatrix::solver> Foam::lduMatrix::solver::New
                 interfaceBouCoeffs,
                 interfaceIntCoeffs,
                 interfaces,
-                solverData
+                solverControls
             )
         );
     }
@@ -129,7 +127,7 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::lduMatrix::solver> Foam::lduMatrix::solver::New
     {
         FatalIOErrorIn
         (
-            "lduMatrix::solver::New", solverData
+            "lduMatrix::solver::New", solverControls
         )   << "cannot solve incomplete matrix, "
                "no diagonal or off-diagonal coefficient"
             << exit(FatalIOError);
@@ -148,7 +146,7 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solver::solver
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    Istream& solverData
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 :
     fieldName_(fieldName),
@@ -156,12 +154,7 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solver::solver
     interfaceBouCoeffs_(interfaceBouCoeffs),
     interfaceIntCoeffs_(interfaceIntCoeffs),
     interfaces_(interfaces),
-
-    controlDict_(solverData),
-
-    maxIter_(1000),
-    tolerance_(1e-6),
-    relTol_(0)
+    controlDict_(solverControls)
 {
     readControls();
 }
@@ -171,16 +164,15 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solver::solver
 
 void Foam::lduMatrix::solver::readControls()
 {
-    controlDict_.readIfPresent("maxIter", maxIter_);
-    controlDict_.readIfPresent("tolerance", tolerance_);
-    controlDict_.readIfPresent("relTol", relTol_);
+    maxIter_   = controlDict_.lookupOrDefault<label>("maxIter", 1000);
+    tolerance_ = controlDict_.lookupOrDefault<scalar>("tolerance", 1e-6);
+    relTol_    = controlDict_.lookupOrDefault<scalar>("relTol", 0);
 }
 
 
-void Foam::lduMatrix::solver::read(Istream& solverData)
+void Foam::lduMatrix::solver::read(const dictionary& solverControls)
 {
-    word solverName(solverData);
-    solverData >> controlDict_;
+    controlDict_ = solverControls;
     readControls();
 }
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DICPreconditioner/DICPreconditioner.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DICPreconditioner/DICPreconditioner.C
index 449a992cbe..03141b88a6 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DICPreconditioner/DICPreconditioner.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DICPreconditioner/DICPreconditioner.C
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ namespace Foam
 Foam::DICPreconditioner::DICPreconditioner
 (
     const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-    Istream&
+    const dictionary&
 )
 :
     lduMatrix::preconditioner(sol),
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DICPreconditioner/DICPreconditioner.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DICPreconditioner/DICPreconditioner.H
index aa1367a761..61feee478e 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DICPreconditioner/DICPreconditioner.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DICPreconditioner/DICPreconditioner.H
@@ -67,11 +67,11 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct from matrix components and preconditioner data stream
+        //- Construct from matrix components and preconditioner solver controls
         DICPreconditioner
         (
-            const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-            Istream& preconditionerData
+            const lduMatrix::solver&,
+            const dictionary& solverControlsUnused
         );
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DILUPreconditioner/DILUPreconditioner.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DILUPreconditioner/DILUPreconditioner.C
index 7822838793..f8778b0406 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DILUPreconditioner/DILUPreconditioner.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DILUPreconditioner/DILUPreconditioner.C
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ namespace Foam
 Foam::DILUPreconditioner::DILUPreconditioner
 (
     const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-    Istream&
+    const dictionary&
 )
 :
     lduMatrix::preconditioner(sol),
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DILUPreconditioner/DILUPreconditioner.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DILUPreconditioner/DILUPreconditioner.H
index 8e9776e5cb..aaaba8918f 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DILUPreconditioner/DILUPreconditioner.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/DILUPreconditioner/DILUPreconditioner.H
@@ -67,11 +67,11 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct from matrix components and preconditioner data stream
+        //- Construct from matrix components and preconditioner solver controls
         DILUPreconditioner
         (
-            const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-            Istream& preconditionerData
+            const lduMatrix::solver&,
+            const dictionary& solverControlsUnused
         );
 
 
@@ -94,8 +94,7 @@ public:
             const direction cmpt=0
         ) const;
 
-        //- Return wT the transpose-matrix preconditioned form of
-        //  residual rT.
+        //- Return wT the transpose-matrix preconditioned form of residual rT.
         virtual void preconditionT
         (
             scalarField& wT,
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/FDICPreconditioner/FDICPreconditioner.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/FDICPreconditioner/FDICPreconditioner.C
index 8f38f29b04..31574f1718 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/FDICPreconditioner/FDICPreconditioner.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/FDICPreconditioner/FDICPreconditioner.C
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ namespace Foam
 Foam::FDICPreconditioner::FDICPreconditioner
 (
     const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-    Istream&
+    const dictionary&
 )
 :
     lduMatrix::preconditioner(sol),
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ void Foam::FDICPreconditioner::precondition
         __builtin_prefetch (&uPtr[face+96],0,0);
         __builtin_prefetch (&lPtr[face+96],0,0);
         __builtin_prefetch (&rDuUpperPtr[face+96],0,0);
-        __builtin_prefetch (&wAPtr[uPtr[face+32]],0,1); 
+        __builtin_prefetch (&wAPtr[uPtr[face+32]],0,1);
         __builtin_prefetch (&wAPtr[lPtr[face+32]],0,1);
         #endif
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/FDICPreconditioner/FDICPreconditioner.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/FDICPreconditioner/FDICPreconditioner.H
index 6312b8171f..53e0caac0f 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/FDICPreconditioner/FDICPreconditioner.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/FDICPreconditioner/FDICPreconditioner.H
@@ -80,11 +80,11 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct from matrix components and preconditioner data stream
+        //- Construct from matrix components and preconditioner solver controls
         FDICPreconditioner
         (
-            const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-            Istream& preconditionerData
+            const lduMatrix::solver&,
+            const dictionary& solverControlsUnused
         );
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/GAMGPreconditioner/GAMGPreconditioner.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/GAMGPreconditioner/GAMGPreconditioner.C
index cfd2f4513e..3433168e20 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/GAMGPreconditioner/GAMGPreconditioner.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/GAMGPreconditioner/GAMGPreconditioner.C
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ namespace Foam
 Foam::GAMGPreconditioner::GAMGPreconditioner
 (
     const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-    Istream& preconditionerData
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 :
     GAMGSolver
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ Foam::GAMGPreconditioner::GAMGPreconditioner
         sol.interfaceBouCoeffs(),
         sol.interfaceIntCoeffs(),
         sol.interfaces(),
-        preconditionerData
+        solverControls
     ),
     lduMatrix::preconditioner(sol),
     nVcycles_(2)
@@ -75,13 +75,7 @@ Foam::GAMGPreconditioner::~GAMGPreconditioner()
 void Foam::GAMGPreconditioner::readControls()
 {
     GAMGSolver::readControls();
-    controlDict_.readIfPresent("nVcycles", nVcycles_);
-}
-
-
-void Foam::GAMGPreconditioner::read(Istream& solverData)
-{
-    GAMGSolver::read(solverData);
+    nVcycles_ = controlDict_.lookupOrDefault<label>("nVcycles", 2);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/GAMGPreconditioner/GAMGPreconditioner.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/GAMGPreconditioner/GAMGPreconditioner.H
index 1e9bfae843..82ca63580b 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/GAMGPreconditioner/GAMGPreconditioner.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/GAMGPreconditioner/GAMGPreconditioner.H
@@ -55,17 +55,14 @@ class GAMGPreconditioner
     public GAMGSolver,
     public lduMatrix::preconditioner
 {
-    // Private data
+protected:
+    // Protected data
 
         //- Number of V-cycles to perform
         label nVcycles_;
 
-
-    // Private member functions
-
-        //- Read control parameters from the control dictionary
-        void readControls();
-
+        //- Read the control parameters from the controlDict_
+        virtual void readControls();
 
 public:
 
@@ -75,11 +72,11 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct for given solver and preconditioner data stream
+        //- Construct from matrix components and preconditioner solver controls
         GAMGPreconditioner
         (
-            const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-            Istream& preconditionerData
+            const lduMatrix::solver&,
+            const dictionary& solverControls
         );
 
 
@@ -90,9 +87,6 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
-        //- Read and reset the preconditioner parameters from the given stream
-        virtual void read(Istream& preconditionerData);
-
         //- Return wA the preconditioned form of residual rA
         virtual void precondition
         (
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/diagonalPreconditioner/diagonalPreconditioner.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/diagonalPreconditioner/diagonalPreconditioner.C
index 3bce37a2c7..04da54f1c4 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/diagonalPreconditioner/diagonalPreconditioner.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/diagonalPreconditioner/diagonalPreconditioner.C
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ namespace Foam
 Foam::diagonalPreconditioner::diagonalPreconditioner
 (
     const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-    Istream&
+    const dictionary&
 )
 :
     lduMatrix::preconditioner(sol),
@@ -77,10 +77,6 @@ Foam::diagonalPreconditioner::diagonalPreconditioner
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-void Foam::diagonalPreconditioner::read(Istream&)
-{}
-
-
 void Foam::diagonalPreconditioner::precondition
 (
     scalarField& wA,
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/diagonalPreconditioner/diagonalPreconditioner.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/diagonalPreconditioner/diagonalPreconditioner.H
index cc6f8f82b3..3a0bcb4b2b 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/diagonalPreconditioner/diagonalPreconditioner.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/diagonalPreconditioner/diagonalPreconditioner.H
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class diagonalPreconditioner
 {
     // Private data
 
-        //- The reciprocal diagonal 
+        //- The reciprocal diagonal
         scalarField rD;
 
 
@@ -77,11 +77,11 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct from matrix components and preconditioner data stream
+        //- Construct from matrix components and preconditioner solver controls
         diagonalPreconditioner
         (
-            const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-            Istream& preconditionerData
+            const lduMatrix::solver&,
+            const dictionary& solverControlsUnused
         );
 
 
@@ -93,9 +93,6 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
-        //- Read and reset the preconditioner parameters from the given stream
-        virtual void read(Istream& preconditionerData);
-
         //- Return wA the preconditioned form of residual rA
         virtual void precondition
         (
@@ -104,8 +101,7 @@ public:
             const direction cmpt=0
         ) const;
 
-        //- Return wT the transpose-matrix preconditioned form of
-        //  residual rT.
+        //- Return wT the transpose-matrix preconditioned form of residual rT.
         virtual void preconditionT
         (
             scalarField& wT,
@@ -113,7 +109,7 @@ public:
             const direction cmpt=0
         ) const
         {
-            return(precondition(wT, rT, cmpt));
+            return precondition(wT, rT, cmpt);
         }
 };
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/noPreconditioner/noPreconditioner.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/noPreconditioner/noPreconditioner.C
index 00d1129b5b..1f4fe2b4a4 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/noPreconditioner/noPreconditioner.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/noPreconditioner/noPreconditioner.C
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ namespace Foam
 Foam::noPreconditioner::noPreconditioner
 (
     const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-    Istream&
+    const dictionary&
 )
 :
     lduMatrix::preconditioner(sol)
@@ -56,10 +56,6 @@ Foam::noPreconditioner::noPreconditioner
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-void Foam::noPreconditioner::read(Istream&)
-{}
-
-
 void Foam::noPreconditioner::precondition
 (
     scalarField& wA,
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/noPreconditioner/noPreconditioner.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/noPreconditioner/noPreconditioner.H
index bedab17321..9668f217fc 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/noPreconditioner/noPreconditioner.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/preconditioners/noPreconditioner/noPreconditioner.H
@@ -68,11 +68,11 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct from matrix components and preconditioner data stream
+        //- Construct from matrix components and preconditioner solver controls
         noPreconditioner
         (
-            const lduMatrix::solver& sol,
-            Istream& preconditionerData
+            const lduMatrix::solver&, 
+            const dictionary& solverControlsUnused
         );
 
 
@@ -84,9 +84,6 @@ public:
 
     // Member Functions
 
-        //- Read and reset the preconditioner parameters from the given stream
-        virtual void read(Istream& preconditionerData);
-
         //- Return wA the preconditioned form of residual rA
         virtual void precondition
         (
@@ -95,8 +92,7 @@ public:
             const direction cmpt=0
         ) const;
 
-        //- Return wT the transpose-matrix preconditioned form of
-        //  residual rT.
+        //- Return wT the transpose-matrix preconditioned form of residual rT.
         virtual void preconditionT
         (
             scalarField& wT,
@@ -104,7 +100,7 @@ public:
             const direction cmpt=0
         ) const
         {
-            return(precondition(wT, rT, cmpt));
+            return precondition(wT, rT, cmpt);
         }
 };
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DIC/DICSmoother.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DIC/DICSmoother.H
index 5a59ac98b3..11346a51d1 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DIC/DICSmoother.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DIC/DICSmoother.H
@@ -27,8 +27,10 @@ Class
 
 Description
     Simplified diagonal-based incomplete Cholesky smoother for symmetric
-    matrices.  In order to improve efficiency the residual is evaluated after
-    every nSweeps sweeps.
+    matrices.
+
+    To improve efficiency, the residual is evaluated after every nSweeps
+    sweeps.
 
 SourceFiles
     DICSmoother.C
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DICGaussSeidel/DICGaussSeidelSmoother.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DICGaussSeidel/DICGaussSeidelSmoother.H
index 55312c0ef5..12a9c9c173 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DICGaussSeidel/DICGaussSeidelSmoother.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DICGaussSeidel/DICGaussSeidelSmoother.H
@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@ Class
     Foam::DICGaussSeidelSmoother
 
 Description
-    Combined DIC/GaussSeidel smoother for symmetric
-    matrices in which DIC smoothing is followed by GaussSeidel to ensure that
-    any "spikes" created by the DIC sweeps are smoothed-out. 
+    Combined DIC/GaussSeidel smoother for symmetric matrices in which DIC
+    smoothing is followed by GaussSeidel to ensure that any "spikes" created
+    by the DIC sweeps are smoothed-out.
 
 SourceFiles
     DICGaussSeidelSmoother.C
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ namespace Foam
 {
 
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
-                           Class DICGaussSeidelSmoother Declaration
+                   Class DICGaussSeidelSmoother Declaration
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 class DICGaussSeidelSmoother
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ class DICGaussSeidelSmoother
     // Private data
 
         DICSmoother dicSmoother_;
+
         GaussSeidelSmoother gsSmoother_;
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DILU/DILUSmoother.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DILU/DILUSmoother.H
index f95bd91972..a8218973dd 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DILU/DILUSmoother.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DILU/DILUSmoother.H
@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@ Class
 
 Description
     Simplified diagonal-based incomplete LU smoother for asymmetric matrices.
-    In order to improve efficiency the residual is evaluated after every
-    nSweeps sweeps.
+
+    To improve efficiency, the residual is evaluated after every nSweeps
+    sweeps.
 
 SourceFiles
     DILUSmoother.C
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ namespace Foam
 {
 
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
-                           Class DILUSmoother Declaration
+                        Class DILUSmoother Declaration
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 class DILUSmoother
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DILUGaussSeidel/DILUGaussSeidelSmoother.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DILUGaussSeidel/DILUGaussSeidelSmoother.H
index 6783280f05..6523e259c2 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DILUGaussSeidel/DILUGaussSeidelSmoother.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/smoothers/DILUGaussSeidel/DILUGaussSeidelSmoother.H
@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@ Class
     Foam::DILUGaussSeidelSmoother
 
 Description
-    Combined DILU/GaussSeidel smoother for asymmetric
-    matrices in which DILU smoothing is followed by GaussSeidel to ensure that
-    any "spikes" created by the DILU sweeps are smoothed-out. 
+    Combined DILU/GaussSeidel smoother for asymmetric matrices in which
+    DILU smoothing is followed by GaussSeidel to ensure that any "spikes"
+    created by the DILU sweeps are smoothed-out.
 
 SourceFiles
     DILUGaussSeidelSmoother.C
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ namespace Foam
 {
 
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
-                           Class DILUGaussSeidelSmoother Declaration
+                   Class DILUGaussSeidelSmoother Declaration
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 class DILUGaussSeidelSmoother
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ class DILUGaussSeidelSmoother
     // Private data
 
         DILUSmoother diluSmoother_;
+
         GaussSeidelSmoother gsSmoother_;
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/BICCG/BICCG.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/BICCG/BICCG.C
index 7772f7c6a3..e88b873f9f 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/BICCG/BICCG.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/BICCG/BICCG.C
@@ -37,36 +37,31 @@ namespace Foam
 }
 
 
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Member Functions * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-Foam::IStringStream Foam::BICCG::solverDataStream
+Foam::dictionary Foam::BICCG::solverDict
 (
-    const scalar tolerance,
+    const scalar tol,
     const scalar relTol
-) const
+)
 {
-    return IStringStream
-    (
-        "{ preconditioner   DILU;"
-        "  tolerance " + name(tolerance) + "; relTol " + name(relTol) + "; }"
-    );
+    dictionary dict(IStringStream("solver PBiCG; preconditioner DILU;")());
+    dict.add("tolerance", tol);
+    dict.add("relTol", relTol);
+
+    return dict;
 }
 
 
-Foam::IStringStream Foam::BICCG::solverDataStream
+Foam::dictionary Foam::BICCG::solverDict
 (
-    const word& solverName,
-    Istream& solverData
-) const
+    Istream& is
+)
 {
-    scalar tolerance(readScalar(solverData));
-    scalar relTol(readScalar(solverData));
+    scalar tol(readScalar(is));
+    scalar relTol(readScalar(is));
 
-    return IStringStream
-    (
-        solverName + "{ preconditioner   DILU;"
-        "  tolerance " + name(tolerance) + "; relTol " + name(relTol) + "; }"
-    );
+    return solverDict(tol, relTol);
 }
 
 
@@ -79,8 +74,7 @@ Foam::BICCG::BICCG
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    const scalar tolerance,
-    const scalar relTol
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 :
     PBiCG
@@ -90,7 +84,7 @@ Foam::BICCG::BICCG
         interfaceBouCoeffs,
         interfaceIntCoeffs,
         interfaces,
-        solverDataStream(tolerance, relTol)()
+        solverControls
     )
 {}
 
@@ -102,7 +96,8 @@ Foam::BICCG::BICCG
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    Istream& solverData
+    const scalar tolerance,
+    const scalar relTol
 )
 :
     PBiCG
@@ -112,18 +107,8 @@ Foam::BICCG::BICCG
         interfaceBouCoeffs,
         interfaceIntCoeffs,
         interfaces,
-        solverDataStream(word::null, solverData)()
+        solverDict(tolerance, relTol)
     )
 {}
 
-
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
-void Foam::BICCG::read(Istream& solverData)
-{
-    word solverName(solverData);
-    PBiCG::read(solverDataStream(solverName, solverData)());
-}
-
-
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/BICCG/BICCG.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/BICCG/BICCG.H
index c6c140345c..f3058a9b67 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/BICCG/BICCG.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/BICCG/BICCG.H
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ Description
 
 Deprecated
     This solver is present for backward-compatibility and the PBiCG solver
-    should be used for preference.
+    should be used instead.
 
 SourceFiles
     BICCG.C
@@ -65,31 +65,39 @@ class BICCG
         //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
         void operator=(const BICCG&);
 
-        //- Return the dictionary data-stream constructed from the components.
-        //  Needed for backward compatibility
-        IStringStream solverDataStream
-        (
-            const scalar tolerance,
-            const scalar relTol
-        ) const;
-
-        //- Return the dictionary data-stream constructed from the old-style
-        //  data-stream.  Needed for backward compatibility
-        IStringStream solverDataStream
-        (
-            const word& solverName,
-            Istream& solverData
-        ) const;
-
-
 public:
 
+    //- Return the dictionary constructed from the components.
+    //  Needed for backward compatibility
+    static dictionary solverDict
+    (
+        const scalar tol,
+        const scalar relTol
+    );
+
+    //- Return the dictionary constructed from the old-style data-stream.
+    //  Needed for backward compatibility
+    static dictionary solverDict(Istream&);
+
+
     //- Runtime type information
     TypeName("BICCG");
 
 
     // Constructors
 
+        //- Construct from matrix components and solver data stream
+        BICCG
+        (
+            const word& fieldName,
+            const lduMatrix& matrix,
+            const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
+            const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
+            const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
+            const dictionary& solverControls
+        );
+
+
         //- Construct from matrix components and tolerances
         BICCG
         (
@@ -102,28 +110,11 @@ public:
             const scalar relTol = 0.0
         );
 
-        //- Construct from matrix components and solver data stream
-        BICCG
-        (
-            const word& fieldName,
-            const lduMatrix& matrix,
-            const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
-            const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
-            const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-            Istream& solverData
-        );
-
-
     // Destructor
 
         virtual ~BICCG()
         {}
 
-
-    // Member Functions
-
-        //- Read and reset the solver parameters from the given stream
-        void read(Istream& solverData);
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolver.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolver.C
index f8a29ba241..ef838342e8 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolver.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolver.C
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ Foam::GAMGSolver::GAMGSolver
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    Istream& solverData
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 :
     lduMatrix::solver
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ Foam::GAMGSolver::GAMGSolver
         interfaceBouCoeffs,
         interfaceIntCoeffs,
         interfaces,
-        solverData
+        solverControls
     ),
 
     // Default values for all controls
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ Foam::GAMGSolver::GAMGSolver
             "const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,"
             "const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,"
             "const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,"
-            "Istream& solverData"
+            "const dictionary& solverControls"
             ")"
         )   << "No coarse levels created, either matrix too small for GAMG"
                " or nCellsInCoarsestLevel too large.\n"
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ void Foam::GAMGSolver::readControls()
 {
     lduMatrix::solver::readControls();
 
+    // we could also consider supplying defaults here too
     controlDict_.readIfPresent("cacheAgglomeration", cacheAgglomeration_);
     controlDict_.readIfPresent("nPreSweeps", nPreSweeps_);
     controlDict_.readIfPresent("nPostSweeps", nPostSweeps_);
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolver.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolver.H
index 8c4596c888..6cbef1f509 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolver.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolver.H
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct from lduMatrix
+        //- Construct from lduMatrix and solver controls
         GAMGSolver
         (
             const word& fieldName,
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ public:
             const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
             const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
             const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-            Istream& solverData
+            const dictionary& solverControls
         );
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolverSolve.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolverSolve.C
index 431f2f179f..e7e2a63391 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolverSolve.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/GAMG/GAMGSolverSolve.C
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ void Foam::GAMGSolver::initVcycle
             interfaceBouCoeffs_,
             interfaceIntCoeffs_,
             interfaces_,
-            controlDict_.lookup("smoother")
+            controlDict_
         )
     );
 
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ void Foam::GAMGSolver::initVcycle
                 interfaceLevelsBouCoeffs_[leveli],
                 interfaceLevelsIntCoeffs_[leveli],
                 interfaceLevels_[leveli],
-                controlDict_.lookup("smoother")
+                controlDict_
             )
         );
     }
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/ICCG/ICCG.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/ICCG/ICCG.C
index dbd4ae16d0..97a03b4f0d 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/ICCG/ICCG.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/ICCG/ICCG.C
@@ -36,40 +36,33 @@ namespace Foam
         addICCGSymMatrixConstructorToTable_;
 }
 
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Member Functions * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
-Foam::IStringStream Foam::ICCG::solverDataStream
+Foam::dictionary Foam::ICCG::solverDict
 (
-    const scalar tolerance,
+    const scalar tol,
     const scalar relTol
-) const
+)
 {
-    return IStringStream
-    (
-        "{ preconditioner   DIC;"
-        "  tolerance " + name(tolerance) + "; relTol " + name(relTol) + "; }"
-    );
+    dictionary dict(IStringStream("solver PCG; preconditioner DIC;")());
+    dict.add("tolerance", tol);
+    dict.add("relTol", relTol);
+
+    return dict;
 }
 
 
-Foam::IStringStream Foam::ICCG::solverDataStream
+Foam::dictionary Foam::ICCG::solverDict
 (
-    const word& solverName,
-    Istream& solverData
-) const
+    Istream& is
+)
 {
-    scalar tolerance(readScalar(solverData));
-    scalar relTol(readScalar(solverData));
+    scalar tol(readScalar(is));
+    scalar relTol(readScalar(is));
 
-    return IStringStream
-    (
-        solverName + "{ preconditioner   DIC;"
-        "  tolerance " + name(tolerance) + "; relTol " + name(relTol) + "; }"
-    );
+    return solverDict(tol, relTol);
 }
 
-
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 Foam::ICCG::ICCG
@@ -79,8 +72,7 @@ Foam::ICCG::ICCG
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    const scalar tolerance,
-    const scalar relTol
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 :
     PCG
@@ -90,7 +82,7 @@ Foam::ICCG::ICCG
         interfaceBouCoeffs,
         interfaceIntCoeffs,
         interfaces,
-        solverDataStream(tolerance, relTol)()
+        solverControls
     )
 {}
 
@@ -102,7 +94,8 @@ Foam::ICCG::ICCG
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    Istream& solverData
+    const scalar tolerance,
+    const scalar relTol
 )
 :
     PCG
@@ -112,18 +105,8 @@ Foam::ICCG::ICCG
         interfaceBouCoeffs,
         interfaceIntCoeffs,
         interfaces,
-        solverDataStream(word::null, solverData)()
+        solverDict(tolerance, relTol)
     )
 {}
 
-
-// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
-
-void Foam::ICCG::read(Istream& solverData)
-{
-    word solverName(solverData);
-    PCG::read(solverDataStream(solverName, solverData)());
-}
-
-
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/ICCG/ICCG.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/ICCG/ICCG.H
index c8f124f87c..850c3f4775 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/ICCG/ICCG.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/ICCG/ICCG.H
@@ -65,31 +65,38 @@ class ICCG
         //- Disallow default bitwise assignment
         void operator=(const ICCG&);
 
-        //- Return the dictionary data-stream constructed from the components.
-        //  Needed for backward compatibility
-        IStringStream solverDataStream
-        (
-            const scalar tolerance,
-            const scalar relTol
-        ) const;
-
-        //- Return the dictionary data-stream constructed from the old-style
-        //  data-stream.  Needed for backward compatibility
-        IStringStream solverDataStream
-        (
-            const word& solverName,
-            Istream& solverData
-        ) const;
-
-
 public:
 
+        //- Return the dictionary constructed from the components.
+        //  Needed for backward compatibility
+        static dictionary solverDict
+        (
+            const scalar tol,
+            const scalar relTol
+        );
+
+        //- Return the dictionary constructed from the old-style data-stream.
+        //  Needed for backward compatibility
+        static dictionary solverDict(Istream&);
+
+
     //- Runtime type information
     TypeName("ICCG");
 
 
     // Constructors
 
+        //- Construct from matrix components and solver data stream
+        ICCG
+        (
+            const word& fieldName,
+            const lduMatrix& matrix,
+            const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
+            const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
+            const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
+            const dictionary& solverControls
+        );
+
         //- Construct from matrix components and tolerances
         ICCG
         (
@@ -102,28 +109,11 @@ public:
             const scalar relTol = 0.0
         );
 
-        //- Construct from matrix components and solver data stream
-        ICCG
-        (
-            const word& fieldName,
-            const lduMatrix& matrix,
-            const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
-            const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
-            const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-            Istream& solverData
-        );
-
-
     // Destructor
 
         virtual ~ICCG()
         {}
 
-
-    // Member Functions
-
-        //- Read and reset the solver parameters from the given stream
-        void read(Istream& solverData);
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PBiCG/PBiCG.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PBiCG/PBiCG.C
index 9100ae5777..af4137f689 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PBiCG/PBiCG.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PBiCG/PBiCG.C
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Foam::PBiCG::PBiCG
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    Istream& solverData
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 :
     lduMatrix::solver
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ Foam::PBiCG::PBiCG
         interfaceBouCoeffs,
         interfaceIntCoeffs,
         interfaces,
-        solverData
+        solverControls
     )
 {}
 
@@ -70,12 +70,10 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::PBiCG::solve
     const direction cmpt
 ) const
 {
-    word preconditionerName(controlDict_.lookup("preconditioner"));
-
     // --- Setup class containing solver performance data
     lduMatrix::solverPerformance solverPerf
     (
-        preconditionerName + typeName,
+        lduMatrix::preconditioner::getName(controlDict_) + typeName,
         fieldName_
     );
 
@@ -128,7 +126,7 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::PBiCG::solve
         lduMatrix::preconditioner::New
         (
             *this,
-            controlDict_.lookup("preconditioner")
+            controlDict_
         );
 
         // --- Solver iteration
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PBiCG/PBiCG.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PBiCG/PBiCG.H
index 07adf0c8e4..6ba96fe969 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PBiCG/PBiCG.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PBiCG/PBiCG.H
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ public:
             const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
             const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
             const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-            Istream& solverData
+            const dictionary& solverControls
         );
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PCG/PCG.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PCG/PCG.C
index a21eeaca15..ad0ae5a081 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PCG/PCG.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PCG/PCG.C
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Foam::PCG::PCG
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    Istream& solverData
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 :
     lduMatrix::solver
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ Foam::PCG::PCG
         interfaceBouCoeffs,
         interfaceIntCoeffs,
         interfaces,
-        solverData
+        solverControls
     )
 {}
 
@@ -70,12 +70,10 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::PCG::solve
     const direction cmpt
 ) const
 {
-    word preconditionerName(controlDict_.lookup("preconditioner"));
-
     // --- Setup class containing solver performance data
     lduMatrix::solverPerformance solverPerf
     (
-        preconditionerName + typeName,
+        lduMatrix::preconditioner::getName(controlDict_) + typeName,
         fieldName_
     );
 
@@ -119,7 +117,7 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::PCG::solve
         lduMatrix::preconditioner::New
         (
             *this,
-            controlDict_.lookup("preconditioner")
+            controlDict_
         );
 
         // --- Solver iteration
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PCG/PCG.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PCG/PCG.H
index 6627bd45b1..4e0b5b4e28 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PCG/PCG.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/PCG/PCG.H
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ Class
 
 Description
     Preconditioned conjugate gradient solver for symmetric lduMatrices
-    using a run-time selectable preconditiioner.
+    using a run-time selectable preconditioner.
 
 SourceFiles
     PCG.C
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct from matrix components and solver data stream
+        //- Construct from matrix components and solver controls
         PCG
         (
             const word& fieldName,
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ public:
             const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
             const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
             const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-            Istream& solverData
+            const dictionary& solverControls
         );
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/diagonalSolver/diagonalSolver.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/diagonalSolver/diagonalSolver.C
index 583a2008e3..3255ca896a 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/diagonalSolver/diagonalSolver.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/diagonalSolver/diagonalSolver.C
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ Foam::diagonalSolver::diagonalSolver
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    Istream& solverData
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 :
     lduMatrix::solver
@@ -53,19 +53,13 @@ Foam::diagonalSolver::diagonalSolver
         interfaceBouCoeffs,
         interfaceIntCoeffs,
         interfaces,
-        solverData
+        solverControls
     )
 {}
 
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-void Foam::diagonalSolver::read(Istream& solverData)
-{
-    word solverName(solverData);
-}
-
-
 Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::diagonalSolver::solve
 (
     scalarField& psi,
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/diagonalSolver/diagonalSolver.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/diagonalSolver/diagonalSolver.H
index 573f4cc233..b4ac776312 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/diagonalSolver/diagonalSolver.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/diagonalSolver/diagonalSolver.H
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct from matrix
+        //- Construct from matrix and solver controls
         diagonalSolver
         (
             const word& fieldName,
@@ -76,14 +76,15 @@ public:
             const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
             const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
             const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-            Istream& solverData
+            const dictionary& solverControls
         );
 
 
     // Member Functions
 
         //- Read and reset the solver parameters from the given stream
-        void read(Istream& solverData);
+        void read(const dictionary&)
+        {}
 
         //- Solve the matrix with this solver
         lduMatrix::solverPerformance solve
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/smoothSolver/smoothSolver.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/smoothSolver/smoothSolver.C
index 6b7c1cbcc3..503e376bd2 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/smoothSolver/smoothSolver.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/smoothSolver/smoothSolver.C
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ Foam::smoothSolver::smoothSolver
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
     const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
     const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-    Istream& solverData
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 :
     lduMatrix::solver
@@ -59,9 +59,8 @@ Foam::smoothSolver::smoothSolver
         interfaceBouCoeffs,
         interfaceIntCoeffs,
         interfaces,
-        solverData
-    ),
-    nSweeps_(1)
+        solverControls
+    )
 {
     readControls();
 }
@@ -72,7 +71,7 @@ Foam::smoothSolver::smoothSolver
 void Foam::smoothSolver::readControls()
 {
     lduMatrix::solver::readControls();
-    controlDict_.readIfPresent("nSweeps", nSweeps_);
+    nSweeps_ = controlDict_.lookupOrDefault<label>("nSweeps", 1);
 }
 
 
@@ -96,7 +95,7 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::smoothSolver::solve
             interfaceBouCoeffs_,
             interfaceIntCoeffs_,
             interfaces_,
-            controlDict_.lookup("smoother")
+            controlDict_
         );
 
         smootherPtr->smooth
@@ -144,7 +143,7 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::smoothSolver::solve
                 interfaceBouCoeffs_,
                 interfaceIntCoeffs_,
                 interfaces_,
-                controlDict_.lookup("smoother")
+                controlDict_
             );
 
             // Smoothing loop
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/smoothSolver/smoothSolver.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/smoothSolver/smoothSolver.H
index 3d5687a8a9..15ddf7bf3b 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/smoothSolver/smoothSolver.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/lduMatrix/solvers/smoothSolver/smoothSolver.H
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@ protected:
         //- Read the control parameters from the controlDict_
         virtual void readControls();
 
-
 public:
 
     //- Runtime type information
@@ -75,7 +74,7 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
-        //- Construct from matrix components and solver data stream
+        //- Construct from matrix components and solver controls
         smoothSolver
         (
             const word& fieldName,
@@ -83,10 +82,15 @@ public:
             const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceBouCoeffs,
             const FieldField<Field, scalar>& interfaceIntCoeffs,
             const lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList& interfaces,
-            Istream& solverData
+            const dictionary& solverControls
         );
 
 
+    // Destructor
+
+        virtual ~smoothSolver()
+        {}
+
     // Member Functions
 
         //- Solve the matrix with this solver
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/solution/solution.C b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/solution/solution.C
index 5429a20e81..f988cc2305 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/solution/solution.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/solution/solution.C
@@ -27,9 +27,12 @@ License
 #include "solution.H"
 #include "Time.H"
 
+// these two are for old syntax compatibility:
+#include "BICCG.H"
+#include "ICCG.H"
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
-int Foam::solution::debug(Foam::debug::debugSwitch("solution", false));
+int Foam::solution::debug(::Foam::debug::debugSwitch("solution", 0));
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -55,6 +58,83 @@ Foam::solution::solution(const objectRegistry& obr, const fileName& dictName)
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
+Foam::label Foam::solution::upgradeSolverDict
+(
+    dictionary& dict,
+    const bool verbose
+)
+{
+    label nChanged = 0;
+
+    // backward compatibility:
+    // recast primitive entries into dictionary entries
+    forAllIter(dictionary, dict, iter)
+    {
+        if (!iter().isDict())
+        {
+            Istream& is = iter().stream();
+            word name(is);
+            dictionary subdict;
+
+            if (name == "BICCG")
+            {
+                // special treatment for very old syntax
+                subdict = BICCG::solverDict(is);
+            }
+            else if (name == "ICCG")
+            {
+                // special treatment for very old syntax
+                subdict = ICCG::solverDict(is);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                subdict.add("solver", name);
+                subdict <<= dictionary(is);
+
+                // preconditioner can be a primitiveEntry w/o settings,
+                // or a dictionaryEntry.
+                // transform primitiveEntry with settings -> dictionaryEntry
+                entry* precond = subdict.lookupEntryPtr
+                (
+                    "preconditioner",
+                    false,
+                    false
+                );
+
+                if (precond && !precond->isDict())
+                {
+                    Istream& is = precond->stream();
+                    is >> name;
+
+                    if (!is.eof())
+                    {
+                        dictionary precondDict;
+                        precondDict.add("preconditioner", name);
+                        precondDict <<= dictionary(is);
+
+                        subdict.set("preconditioner", precondDict);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // write out information to help people adjust to the new syntax
+            if (verbose)
+            {
+                Info<< "// using new solver syntax:\n"
+                    << iter().keyword() << subdict << endl;
+            }
+
+            // overwrite with dictionary entry
+            dict.set(iter().keyword(), subdict);
+
+            nChanged++;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return nChanged;
+}
+
+
 bool Foam::solution::read()
 {
     if (regIOobject::read())
@@ -69,6 +149,7 @@ bool Foam::solution::read()
         if (dict.found("solvers"))
         {
             solvers_ = dict.subDict("solvers");
+            upgradeSolverDict(solvers_);
         }
 
         return true;
@@ -97,7 +178,7 @@ bool Foam::solution::relax(const word& name) const
 {
     if (debug)
     {
-        Info<< "Lookup relax for " << name << endl;
+        Info<< "Find relax for " << name << endl;
     }
 
     return relaxationFactors_.found(name);
@@ -127,7 +208,7 @@ const Foam::dictionary& Foam::solution::solverDict(const word& name) const
 }
 
 
-Foam::ITstream& Foam::solution::solver(const word& name) const
+const Foam::dictionary& Foam::solution::solver(const word& name) const
 {
     if (debug)
     {
@@ -135,7 +216,7 @@ Foam::ITstream& Foam::solution::solver(const word& name) const
             << "Lookup solver for " << name << endl;
     }
 
-    return solvers_.lookup(name);
+    return solvers_.subDict(name);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/solution/solution.H b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/solution/solution.H
index 3d455fdecc..3db89d9fc1 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/solution/solution.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/matrices/solution/solution.H
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ namespace Foam
 {
 
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
-                           Class solution Declaration
+                          Class solution Declaration
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 class solution
@@ -59,7 +59,6 @@ class solution
         //- Dictionary of solver parameters for all the fields
         dictionary solvers_;
 
-
     // Private Member Functions
 
         //- Disallow default bitwise copy construct and assignment
@@ -69,6 +68,11 @@ class solution
 
 public:
 
+    //- Update from older solver controls syntax
+    //  Usually verbose, since we want to know about the changes
+    //  Returns the number of settings changed
+    static label upgradeSolverDict(dictionary& dict, const bool verbose=true);
+
     //- Debug switch
     static int debug;
 
@@ -84,7 +88,7 @@ public:
         // Access
 
             //- Return the selected sub-dictionary of solvers if the "select"
-            //  keyword is given othewise return the complete dictionary
+            //  keyword is given, otherwise return the complete dictionary
             const dictionary& solutionDict() const;
 
             //- Return true if the relaxation factor is given for the field
@@ -93,13 +97,11 @@ public:
             //- Return the relaxation factor for the given field
             scalar relaxationFactor(const word& name) const;
 
-            //- Return the dictionary of solver parameters for the given field
+            //- Return the solver controls dictionary for the given field
             const dictionary& solverDict(const word& name) const;
 
-            //- Return the stream of solver parameters for the given field
-            //  @deprecated Backward compatibility only - should use solverDict
-            ITstream& solver(const word& name) const;
-
+            //- Return the solver controls dictionary for the given field
+            const dictionary& solver(const word& name) const;
 
         // Read
 
diff --git a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrix.C b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrix.C
index b8698eb177..20f36d2349 100644
--- a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrix.C
+++ b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrix.C
@@ -336,8 +336,8 @@ Foam::fvMatrix<Type>::fvMatrix
 {
     if (debug)
     {
-        Info<< "fvMatrix<Type>(GeometricField<Type, fvPatchField, volMesh>&,"
-               " Istream&) : "
+        Info<< "fvMatrix<Type>"
+               "(GeometricField<Type, fvPatchField, volMesh>&, Istream&) : "
                "constructing fvMatrix<Type> for field " << psi_.name()
             << endl;
     }
@@ -1257,7 +1257,7 @@ template<class Type>
 Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::solve
 (
     fvMatrix<Type>& fvm,
-    Istream& solverControls
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 {
     return fvm.solve(solverControls);
@@ -1267,7 +1267,7 @@ template<class Type>
 Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::solve
 (
     const tmp<fvMatrix<Type> >& tfvm,
-    Istream& solverControls
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 {
     lduMatrix::solverPerformance solverPerf =
diff --git a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrix.H b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrix.H
index b7663db50f..2df42847a2 100644
--- a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrix.H
+++ b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrix.H
@@ -220,8 +220,8 @@ public:
         // Member functions
 
             //- Solve returning the solution statistics.
-            //  Solver controls read from Istream
-            lduMatrix::solverPerformance solve(Istream&);
+            //  Use the given solver controls
+            lduMatrix::solverPerformance solve(const dictionary&);
 
             //- Solve returning the solution statistics.
             //  Solver controls read from fvSolution
@@ -359,16 +359,16 @@ public:
             );
 
             //- Construct and return the solver
-            //  Solver controls read from Istream
-            autoPtr<fvSolver> solver(Istream&);
+            //  Use the given solver controls
+            autoPtr<fvSolver> solver(const dictionary&);
 
             //- Construct and return the solver
             //  Solver controls read from fvSolution
             autoPtr<fvSolver> solver();
 
             //- Solve returning the solution statistics.
-            //  Solver controls read from Istream
-            lduMatrix::solverPerformance solve(Istream&);
+            //  Use the given solver controls
+            lduMatrix::solverPerformance solve(const dictionary&);
 
             //- Solve returning the solution statistics.
             //  Solver controls read from fvSolution
@@ -518,16 +518,20 @@ void checkMethod
 
 
 //- Solve returning the solution statistics given convergence tolerance
-//  Solver controls read Istream
+//  Use the given solver controls
 template<class Type>
-lduMatrix::solverPerformance solve(fvMatrix<Type>&, Istream&);
+lduMatrix::solverPerformance solve(fvMatrix<Type>&, const dictionary&);
 
 
 //- Solve returning the solution statistics given convergence tolerance,
 //  deleting temporary matrix after solution.
-//  Solver controls read Istream
+//  Use the given solver controls
 template<class Type>
-lduMatrix::solverPerformance solve(const tmp<fvMatrix<Type> >&, Istream&);
+lduMatrix::solverPerformance solve
+(
+    const tmp<fvMatrix<Type> >&,
+    const dictionary&
+);
 
 
 //- Solve returning the solution statistics given convergence tolerance
diff --git a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrixSolve.C b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrixSolve.C
index 37e3fd8391..5318311472 100644
--- a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrixSolve.C
+++ b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvMatrix/fvMatrixSolve.C
@@ -53,12 +53,12 @@ void Foam::fvMatrix<Type>::setComponentReference
 template<class Type>
 Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::fvMatrix<Type>::solve
 (
-    Istream& solverControls
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 {
     if (debug)
     {
-        Info<< "fvMatrix<Type>::solve(Istream& solverControls) : "
+        Info<< "fvMatrix<Type>::solve(const dictionary& solverControls) : "
                "solving fvMatrix<Type>"
             << endl;
     }
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::fvMatrix<Type>::solve
             internalCoeffs_.component(cmpt)
         );
 
-        lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList interfaces = 
+        lduInterfaceFieldPtrsList interfaces =
             psi_.boundaryField().interfaces();
 
         // Use the initMatrixInterfaces and updateMatrixInterfaces to correct
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::fvMatrix<Type>::solve
             bouCoeffsCmpt,
             intCoeffsCmpt,
             interfaces,
-            solverControls.rewind()
+            solverControls
         )->solve(psiCmpt, sourceCmpt, cmpt);
 
         solverPerf.print();
@@ -170,20 +170,20 @@ template<class Type>
 Foam::autoPtr<typename Foam::fvMatrix<Type>::fvSolver>
 Foam::fvMatrix<Type>::solver()
 {
-    return solver(psi_.mesh().solver(psi_.name()));
+    return solver(psi_.mesh().solverDict(psi_.name()));
 }
 
 template<class Type>
 Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::fvMatrix<Type>::fvSolver::solve()
 {
-    return solve(psi_.mesh().solver(psi_.name()));
+    return solve(psi_.mesh().solverDict(psi_.name()));
 }
 
 
 template<class Type>
 Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::fvMatrix<Type>::solve()
 {
-    return solve(psi_.mesh().solver(psi_.name()));
+    return solve(psi_.mesh().solverDict(psi_.name()));
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvScalarMatrix/fvScalarMatrix.C b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvScalarMatrix/fvScalarMatrix.C
index ad952b3e78..be97ac403a 100644
--- a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvScalarMatrix/fvScalarMatrix.C
+++ b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvScalarMatrix/fvScalarMatrix.C
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ void Foam::fvMatrix<Foam::scalar>::setComponentReference
             internalCoeffs_[patchi][facei] +=
                 diag()[psi_.mesh().boundary()[patchi].faceCells()[facei]];
 
-            boundaryCoeffs_[patchi][facei] += 
+            boundaryCoeffs_[patchi][facei] +=
                 diag()[psi_.mesh().boundary()[patchi].faceCells()[facei]]
                *value;
         }
@@ -57,12 +57,12 @@ template<>
 Foam::autoPtr<Foam::fvMatrix<Foam::scalar>::fvSolver>
 Foam::fvMatrix<Foam::scalar>::solver
 (
-    Istream& solverControls
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 {
     if (debug)
     {
-        Info<< "fvMatrix<scalar>::solver(Istream& solverControls) : "
+        Info<< "fvMatrix<scalar>::solver(const dictionary& solverControls) : "
                "solver for fvMatrix<scalar>"
             << endl;
     }
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ Foam::fvMatrix<Foam::scalar>::solver
 template<>
 Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::fvMatrix<Foam::scalar>::fvSolver::solve
 (
-    Istream& solverControls
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 {
     scalarField saveDiag = fvMat_.diag();
@@ -105,8 +105,10 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::fvMatrix<Foam::scalar>::fvSolver::solve
     scalarField totalSource = fvMat_.source();
     fvMat_.addBoundarySource(totalSource, false);
 
+    // assign new solver controls
     solver_->read(solverControls);
-    lduMatrix::solverPerformance solverPerf = 
+
+    lduMatrix::solverPerformance solverPerf =
         solver_->solve(fvMat_.psi().internalField(), totalSource);
 
     solverPerf.print();
@@ -122,12 +124,12 @@ Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::fvMatrix<Foam::scalar>::fvSolver::solve
 template<>
 Foam::lduMatrix::solverPerformance Foam::fvMatrix<Foam::scalar>::solve
 (
-    Istream& solverControls
+    const dictionary& solverControls
 )
 {
     if (debug)
     {
-        Info<< "fvMatrix<scalar>::solve(Istream& solverControls) : "
+        Info<< "fvMatrix<scalar>::solve(const dictionary& solverControls) : "
                "solving fvMatrix<scalar>"
             << endl;
     }
diff --git a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvScalarMatrix/fvScalarMatrix.H b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvScalarMatrix/fvScalarMatrix.H
index ff22889d49..19ec0abb2e 100644
--- a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvScalarMatrix/fvScalarMatrix.H
+++ b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/fvScalarMatrix/fvScalarMatrix.H
@@ -23,9 +23,10 @@ License
     Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA
 
 InClass
-    Foam::fvScalarMatrix
+    Foam::fvMatrix
 
 Description
+    A scalar instance of fvMatrix
 
 SourceFiles
     fvScalarMatrix.C
@@ -56,13 +57,22 @@ void fvMatrix<scalar>::setComponentReference
 );
 
 template<>
-autoPtr<fvMatrix<scalar>::fvSolver> fvMatrix<scalar>::solver(Istream&);
+autoPtr<fvMatrix<scalar>::fvSolver> fvMatrix<scalar>::solver
+(
+    const dictionary&
+);
 
 template<>
-lduMatrix::solverPerformance fvMatrix<scalar>::fvSolver::solve(Istream&);
+lduMatrix::solverPerformance fvMatrix<scalar>::fvSolver::solve
+(
+    const dictionary&
+);
 
 template<>
-lduMatrix::solverPerformance fvMatrix<scalar>::solve(Istream&);
+lduMatrix::solverPerformance fvMatrix<scalar>::solve
+(
+    const dictionary&
+);
 
 template<>
 tmp<scalarField> fvMatrix<scalar>::residual() const;
diff --git a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/solvers/MULES/MULESTemplates.C b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/solvers/MULES/MULESTemplates.C
index 1dc8e8d1f6..47ef5eb98f 100644
--- a/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/solvers/MULES/MULESTemplates.C
+++ b/src/finiteVolume/fvMatrices/solvers/MULES/MULESTemplates.C
@@ -142,8 +142,8 @@ void Foam::MULES::implicitSolve
 {
     const fvMesh& mesh = psi.mesh();
 
-    dictionary MULESSolver(mesh.solver(psi.name()));
-    const dictionary& MULEScontrols = MULESSolver.subDict("MULESImplicit");
+    const dictionary& MULEScontrols = 
+       mesh.solverDict(psi.name()).subDict("MULESImplicit");
 
     label maxIter
     (
diff --git a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/SBRStress/displacementSBRStressFvMotionSolver.C b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/SBRStress/displacementSBRStressFvMotionSolver.C
index ba8498bba0..88a15a4f23 100644
--- a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/SBRStress/displacementSBRStressFvMotionSolver.C
+++ b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/SBRStress/displacementSBRStressFvMotionSolver.C
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ namespace Foam
 Foam::displacementSBRStressFvMotionSolver::displacementSBRStressFvMotionSolver
 (
     const polyMesh& mesh,
-    Istream& msData
+    Istream&
 )
 :
     fvMotionSolver(mesh),
diff --git a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/SBRStress/displacementSBRStressFvMotionSolver.H b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/SBRStress/displacementSBRStressFvMotionSolver.H
index 2232dd2e63..3af3d84394 100644
--- a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/SBRStress/displacementSBRStressFvMotionSolver.H
+++ b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/SBRStress/displacementSBRStressFvMotionSolver.H
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ public:
         //- Construct from polyMesh and data stream
         displacementSBRStressFvMotionSolver
         (
-            const polyMesh& mesh,
-            Istream& msData
+            const polyMesh&,
+            Istream& msDataUnused
         );
 
 
diff --git a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/componentLaplacian/displacementComponentLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/componentLaplacian/displacementComponentLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
index 57ba2978bb..d9d2bfd7ed 100644
--- a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/componentLaplacian/displacementComponentLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
+++ b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/componentLaplacian/displacementComponentLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
@@ -107,9 +107,10 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
+        //- Construct from polyMesh and data stream
         displacementComponentLaplacianFvMotionSolver
         (
-            const polyMesh& mesh,
+            const polyMesh&,
             Istream& msData
         );
 
diff --git a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/interpolation/displacementInterpolationFvMotionSolver.C b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/interpolation/displacementInterpolationFvMotionSolver.C
index dae6656380..e7907295e4 100644
--- a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/interpolation/displacementInterpolationFvMotionSolver.C
+++ b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/interpolation/displacementInterpolationFvMotionSolver.C
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ Foam::displacementInterpolationFvMotionSolver::
 displacementInterpolationFvMotionSolver
 (
     const polyMesh& mesh,
-    Istream& msData
+    Istream&
 )
 :
     fvMotionSolver(mesh),
diff --git a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/interpolation/displacementInterpolationFvMotionSolver.H b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/interpolation/displacementInterpolationFvMotionSolver.H
index 04f3eda5cc..b490634b3e 100644
--- a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/interpolation/displacementInterpolationFvMotionSolver.H
+++ b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/interpolation/displacementInterpolationFvMotionSolver.H
@@ -115,10 +115,11 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
+        //- Construct from polyMesh and data stream
         displacementInterpolationFvMotionSolver
         (
-            const polyMesh& mesh,
-            Istream& msData
+            const polyMesh&,
+            Istream& msDataUnused
         );
 
 
diff --git a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/laplacian/displacementLaplacianFvMotionSolver.C b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/laplacian/displacementLaplacianFvMotionSolver.C
index 02e5f3b5eb..78c1b41355 100644
--- a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/laplacian/displacementLaplacianFvMotionSolver.C
+++ b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/laplacian/displacementLaplacianFvMotionSolver.C
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ namespace Foam
 Foam::displacementLaplacianFvMotionSolver::displacementLaplacianFvMotionSolver
 (
     const polyMesh& mesh,
-    Istream& msData
+    Istream&
 )
 :
     fvMotionSolver(mesh),
diff --git a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/laplacian/displacementLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/laplacian/displacementLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
index 47570239ba..d9fc9e5758 100644
--- a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/laplacian/displacementLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
+++ b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/displacement/laplacian/displacementLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
@@ -101,8 +101,8 @@ public:
         //- Construct from polyMesh and data stream
         displacementLaplacianFvMotionSolver
         (
-            const polyMesh& mesh,
-            Istream& msData
+            const polyMesh&,
+            Istream& msDataUnused
         );
 
 
diff --git a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/componentLaplacian/velocityComponentLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/componentLaplacian/velocityComponentLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
index 223d7ed115..9537b7576e 100644
--- a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/componentLaplacian/velocityComponentLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
+++ b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/componentLaplacian/velocityComponentLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
@@ -93,9 +93,10 @@ public:
 
     // Constructors
 
+        //- Construct from polyMesh and data stream (provides component)
         velocityComponentLaplacianFvMotionSolver
         (
-            const polyMesh& mesh,
+            const polyMesh&,
             Istream& msData
         );
 
diff --git a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/laplacian/velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver.C b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/laplacian/velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver.C
index 50a06de548..d6cbf1cc18 100644
--- a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/laplacian/velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver.C
+++ b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/laplacian/velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver.C
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ namespace Foam
 Foam::velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver::velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver
 (
     const polyMesh& mesh,
-    Istream& msData
+    Istream&
 )
 :
     fvMotionSolver(mesh),
diff --git a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/laplacian/velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/laplacian/velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
index 2699e95d32..c4d51123b1 100644
--- a/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/laplacian/velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
+++ b/src/fvMotionSolver/fvMotionSolvers/velocity/laplacian/velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver.H
@@ -88,7 +88,11 @@ public:
     // Constructors
 
         //- Construct from polyMesh and data stream
-        velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver(const polyMesh& mesh, Istream& msData);
+        velocityLaplacianFvMotionSolver
+        (
+            const polyMesh&,
+            Istream& msDataUnused
+        );
 
 
     // Destructor