[PhilipJ]

Code:

count=1
while [ $count -le 30 ]
do
        touch /test/startup.log
        echo "waiting for ALSA: $count" >> /test/startup.log
        if [ -e /proc/asound/cards ]; then
                echo "ALSA up!" >> /test/startup.log
                break
        fi

        sleep 1
        count=`expr $count + 1`
done

The difference being you touch file before you put stuff inside it. idk Try it.

uNi

That's irrelevant. Redirecting output to a nonexistent file will create the file, ie there's absolutely no need to create it by touch before.
try for yourself:

Code:

echo "foo" >> foo.out