>One routine tests characteristics from drives A-Z. It also uses diskspace(). All existing drives are processed very quick. Non-existent drive letters return -1, but these drives too are analyzed by Diskspace() very quick.
>
>However, I have one drive letter that it waits for, about 30 seconds. It is a drive connected to the c$-share of another PC. That PC is off. So, I guess, diskspace() is simply polling for a reaction and aborts polling after a certain time only.
>
>Who knows whether there is any other function (API perhaps) that gives the not-connected information quicker?

Have you tried directory('yourdrive\')?