If an error occurred, its code will be found in $?, not $val. Moreover, the exit status will be found in the high byte: 
$? >> 8

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As an aside, if you are running this on a Red Hat derivative, this could be an selinux issue. See thread "Premature end of script headers more annoying than usual . . ." for suggestions on determining if selinux is the source of the problem.

In reply to Re^3: Perl CGI ability to start linux services by eye
in thread Perl CGI ability to start linux services by iphony

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