>> tar >> echo $? >> if [ $? == 0 ] > Because "$?" holds the return value of the last executed command, > which is, in this case, the "echo $?" command. Remove the "echo $?" > line and see what happens. oops.. I am embarassed. Thanks. -- .~. http://toylet.homeip.net / v \ Linux 2.4.22-xfs /( _ )\ 10:10am up 1 day 18:20 ^ ^ load average: 1.23 1.31 1.31