I do think, that you need a number as you find the following code in hdparm.c
case 'U': if (!*p && argc && isdigit(**argv)) p = *argv++, --argc; if(! p) { fprintf(stderr, "expected hwif_nr\n"); exit(1); } sscanf(p++, "%i", &hwif); unregister_hwif = 1; break; isdigit Returns true if and only if the parameter is a digit in the range 0 through 9. Or am I wrong?? To the question from greg: >Why do you care if IDE1 is recognized and registered? You have already read my thread about “Move kernel to RAM” at http://lists.debian.org/debian-user/2004/10/msg01086.html I just need to rescan the IDE-Bus and the only safe way, that really rescans the bus and works 100% of the time, that appears to me is to make modules moving them in and out (I hope that insmod “IDE” rescans the bus; some more research has to be done here). But I also want to experiment with hdparm (although it might not be what I am looking for). Pir --- Alles Kaufen und Verkaufen! eBay.at - der eigene Marktplatz für Österreich. http://www.austronaut.at/ebay.php -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]