exec() system() passthru() problems. (S.u.S.E 7.2)

Hi, I was wondering if someone could HELP!!!! I'm very new to php and I am trying to get the application functions to start an instance of a program. However no matter what I do the functions return -1. Even if I add the absoulte path it still returns -1. nothing happens. I'm running S.u.S.E 7.2 php4. I was wondering if I have missed something in a config file. If i su to nobody (I think this is the user apache runs as on S.u.S.E) and run ps it works fine as the user has permissions for it. I am completely baffled I have tried multiple examples from books that all say it should work but I always get -1. could someone help before my brain turns into a cabbage. Ta, E. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp