The txtutils RPM contains the md5sum utility. I use md5sum /dev/scd0 to check newly written CD-RW blanks against the md5sum of the iso file from which they were written. Two problems:
1. At the first attempt, the 8.2 md5sum _always_ produces an 'Input/output error' at the end of reading the CD, which takes a L_O_N_G time. If the md5sum is immediately repeated (without reloading the medium) then the correct 32 character checksum is eventually produced. 2. This problem has got worse over successive Mandrake releases. 7.2 used to work reliably, 8.0 sometimes will get it on the first pass, 8.2 and the current cooker never. A correctly working md5sun is _essential_ to the production of CD-RW disks. -- Ron. [au]
