Not getting correct results from $_POST

Please suggest what I have done wrong with the following lines of php:- $MachineNum = $_POST['led']; // led is the variable in the html that calls this php $SQL = sprintf("select a_date, a_time, amnt from register where mac_name = %s and message_id = 34 or message_id = 35 order by a_date desc, a_time desc", $MachineNum); when I attempt to see what is in $SQL via a printf I get select a_date, a_time, amnt from jackpot_register where mac_name = '' and message_id = 34 or message_id = 35 order by a_date desc, a_time desc I suspect that my C programming roots are showing but after a few hours of looking I am just getting frustated. I have tried printing and there is nothing in $MachineNum and $_REQUEST & $_GET gives the same result, nothing. I have also checked the HTML page that does the call and it definately says method="post" -- Regards, Alf Stockton www.stockton.co.za In the stairway of life, you'd best take the elevator. My email disclaimer is available at www.stockton.co.za/disclaimer.html