I want it to get the "switch-off-now!" signal, unmount all filesystems regardless of weather they're being used or not, and cut the power. Or better - cut the power straight away. This is emergency procedure. My data is important but NOT as valuable as the hardware.
It may help to explain why you are trying to do this. Looks like I missed the original post since I don't see it in my inbox. In an emergency situation, halting the system is - as you know - the best solution for data protection and when the machine is connected to an adequate UPS power is not an issue. Fire or other natural disaster shouldn't be an issue here - if you are running to save your life I hope you aren't stopping in the computer room on the way out! Your opinion that your hardware is more valuable than your data is quite different than any other opinion I've heard. I suppose it begs the question - why store the data anyplace if it isn't that valuable? Hardware can always be had relatively cheaply, recreating data isn't free unless your time has no value (to coin an old phrase). -- John LeMay KC2KTH Senior Enterprise Consultant NJMC | http://www.njmc.com | Phone 732-557-4848 Specializing in Microsoft and Unix based solutions