diff --git a/libbb/xreadlink.c b/libbb/xreadlink.c
index 4d87b944d..98b795f56 100644
--- a/libbb/xreadlink.c
+++ b/libbb/xreadlink.c
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ char *xmalloc_readlink(const char *path)
 	int bufsize = 0, readsize = 0;
 
 	do {
-		buf = xrealloc(buf, bufsize += GROWBY);
+		bufsize += GROWBY;
+		buf = xrealloc(buf, bufsize);
 		readsize = readlink(path, buf, bufsize);
 		if (readsize == -1) {
 			free(buf);
diff --git a/modutils/insmod.c b/modutils/insmod.c
index 6f3b7d0f4..df75abbfa 100644
--- a/modutils/insmod.c
+++ b/modutils/insmod.c
@@ -67,17 +67,14 @@
 #define ENABLE_FEATURE_2_4_MODULES 1
 #endif
 
-#if !ENABLE_FEATURE_2_4_MODULES
-#define insmod_ng_main insmod_main
-#endif
-
-#if ENABLE_FEATURE_2_6_MODULES
-extern int insmod_ng_main(int argc, char **argv) MAIN_EXTERNALLY_VISIBLE;
-#endif
-
-
+/*
+ * Big piece of 2.4-specific code
+ */
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_2_4_MODULES
 
+#if ENABLE_FEATURE_2_6_MODULES
+static int insmod_ng_main(int argc, char **argv);
+#endif
 
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_INSMOD_LOADINKMEM
 #define LOADBITS 0
@@ -85,7 +82,6 @@ extern int insmod_ng_main(int argc, char **argv) MAIN_EXTERNALLY_VISIBLE;
 #define LOADBITS 1
 #endif
 
-
 /* Alpha */
 #if defined(__alpha__)
 #define MATCH_MACHINE(x) (x == EM_ALPHA)
@@ -627,13 +623,13 @@ static struct obj_section *obj_create_alloced_section_first(struct obj_file *f,
 
 static void *obj_extend_section(struct obj_section *sec, unsigned long more);
 
-static int obj_string_patch(struct obj_file *f, int secidx, ElfW(Addr) offset,
+static void obj_string_patch(struct obj_file *f, int secidx, ElfW(Addr) offset,
 		     const char *string);
 
-static int obj_symbol_patch(struct obj_file *f, int secidx, ElfW(Addr) offset,
+static void obj_symbol_patch(struct obj_file *f, int secidx, ElfW(Addr) offset,
 		     struct obj_symbol *sym);
 
-static int obj_check_undefineds(struct obj_file *f);
+static void obj_check_undefineds(struct obj_file *f);
 
 static void obj_allocate_commons(struct obj_file *f);
 
@@ -788,7 +784,6 @@ static size_t nksyms;
 static struct external_module *ext_modules;
 static int n_ext_modules;
 static int n_ext_modules_used;
-extern int delete_module(const char *);
 
 static char *m_filename;
 static char *m_fullName;
@@ -801,19 +796,16 @@ static int check_module_name_match(const char *filename, struct stat *statbuf,
 				void *userdata, int depth)
 {
 	char *fullname = (char *) userdata;
+	char *tmp;
 
 	if (fullname[0] == '\0')
 		return FALSE;
-	else {
-		char *tmp, *tmp1 = xstrdup(filename);
-		tmp = bb_get_last_path_component_nostrip(tmp1);
-		if (strcmp(tmp, fullname) == 0) {
-			free(tmp1);
-			/* Stop searching if we find a match */
-			m_filename = xstrdup(filename);
-			return FALSE;
-		}
-		free(tmp1);
+
+	tmp = bb_get_last_path_component_nostrip(filename);
+	if (strcmp(tmp, fullname) == 0) {
+		/* Stop searching if we find a match */
+		m_filename = xstrdup(filename);
+		return FALSE;
 	}
 	return TRUE;
 }
@@ -824,25 +816,19 @@ static int check_module_name_match(const char *filename, struct stat *statbuf,
 static struct obj_file *arch_new_file(void)
 {
 	struct arch_file *f;
-	f = xmalloc(sizeof(*f));
-
-	memset(f, 0, sizeof(*f));
-
-	return &f->root;
+	f = xzalloc(sizeof(*f));
+	return &f->root; /* it's a first member */
 }
 
 static struct obj_section *arch_new_section(void)
 {
-	return xmalloc(sizeof(struct obj_section));
+	return xzalloc(sizeof(struct obj_section));
 }
 
 static struct obj_symbol *arch_new_symbol(void)
 {
 	struct arch_symbol *sym;
-	sym = xmalloc(sizeof(*sym));
-
-	memset(sym, 0, sizeof(*sym));
-
+	sym = xzalloc(sizeof(*sym));
 	return &sym->root;
 }
 
@@ -2210,7 +2196,6 @@ static struct obj_section *obj_create_alloced_section(struct obj_file *f,
 	f->sections = xrealloc(f->sections, (newidx + 1) * sizeof(sec));
 	f->sections[newidx] = sec = arch_new_section();
 
-	memset(sec, 0, sizeof(*sec));
 	sec->header.sh_type = SHT_PROGBITS;
 	sec->header.sh_flags = SHF_WRITE | SHF_ALLOC;
 	sec->header.sh_size = size;
@@ -2236,7 +2221,6 @@ static struct obj_section *obj_create_alloced_section_first(struct obj_file *f,
 	f->sections = xrealloc(f->sections, (newidx + 1) * sizeof(sec));
 	f->sections[newidx] = sec = arch_new_section();
 
-	memset(sec, 0, sizeof(*sec));
 	sec->header.sh_type = SHT_PROGBITS;
 	sec->header.sh_flags = SHF_WRITE | SHF_ALLOC;
 	sec->header.sh_size = size;
@@ -2398,7 +2382,7 @@ static char *get_modinfo_value(struct obj_file *f, const char *key)
 /*======================================================================*/
 /* Functions relating to module loading after 2.1.18.  */
 
-static int
+static void
 new_process_module_arguments(struct obj_file *f, int argc, char **argv)
 {
 	while (argc > 0) {
@@ -2408,7 +2392,8 @@ new_process_module_arguments(struct obj_file *f, int argc, char **argv)
 		int min, max, n;
 
 		p = *argv;
-		if ((q = strchr(p, '=')) == NULL) {
+		q = strchr(p, '=');
+		if (q == NULL) {
 			argc--;
 			continue;
 		}
@@ -2421,8 +2406,7 @@ new_process_module_arguments(struct obj_file *f, int argc, char **argv)
 		p = get_modinfo_value(f, key);
 		key += 5;
 		if (p == NULL) {
-			bb_error_msg("invalid parameter %s", key);
-			return 0;
+			bb_error_msg_and_die("invalid parameter %s", key);
 		}
 
 #ifdef SYMBOL_PREFIX
@@ -2436,8 +2420,7 @@ new_process_module_arguments(struct obj_file *f, int argc, char **argv)
 
 		/* Also check that the parameter was not resolved from the kernel.  */
 		if (sym == NULL || sym->secidx > SHN_HIRESERVE) {
-			bb_error_msg("symbol for parameter %s not found", key);
-			return 0;
+			bb_error_msg_and_die("symbol for parameter %s not found", key);
 		}
 
 		if (isdigit(*p)) {
@@ -2463,11 +2446,10 @@ new_process_module_arguments(struct obj_file *f, int argc, char **argv)
 
 					str = alloca(strlen(q));
 					for (r = str, q++; *q != '"'; ++q, ++r) {
-						if (*q == '\0') {
-							bb_error_msg("improperly terminated string argument for %s",
+						if (*q == '\0')
+							bb_error_msg_and_die("improperly terminated string argument for %s",
 									key);
-							return 0;
-						} else if (*q == '\\')
+						if (*q == '\\')
 							switch (*++q) {
 							case 'a':
 								*r = '\a';
@@ -2513,8 +2495,9 @@ new_process_module_arguments(struct obj_file *f, int argc, char **argv)
 							default:
 								*r = *q;
 								break;
-							} else
-								*r = *q;
+							}
+						else
+							*r = *q;
 					}
 					*r = '\0';
 					++q;
@@ -2558,17 +2541,15 @@ new_process_module_arguments(struct obj_file *f, int argc, char **argv)
 					/* Get the size of each member */
 					/* Probably we should do that outside the loop ? */
 					if (!isdigit(*(p + 1))) {
-						bb_error_msg("parameter type 'c' for %s must be followed by"
+						bb_error_msg_and_die("parameter type 'c' for %s must be followed by"
 								" the maximum size", key);
-						return 0;
 					}
 					charssize = strtoul(p + 1, (char **) NULL, 10);
 
 					/* Check length */
 					if (strlen(str) >= charssize) {
-						bb_error_msg("string too long for %s (max %ld)", key,
+						bb_error_msg_and_die("string too long for %s (max %ld)", key,
 								charssize - 1);
-						return 0;
 					}
 
 					/* Copy to location */
@@ -2595,12 +2576,10 @@ new_process_module_arguments(struct obj_file *f, int argc, char **argv)
 					break;
 
 				default:
-					bb_error_msg("unknown parameter type '%c' for %s", *p, key);
-					return 0;
+					bb_error_msg_and_die("unknown parameter type '%c' for %s", *p, key);
 				}
 			}
-
-retry_end_of_value:
+ retry_end_of_value:
 			switch (*q) {
 			case '\0':
 				goto end_of_arg;
@@ -2614,28 +2593,23 @@ retry_end_of_value:
 
 			case ',':
 				if (++n > max) {
-					bb_error_msg("too many values for %s (max %d)", key, max);
-					return 0;
+					bb_error_msg_and_die("too many values for %s (max %d)", key, max);
 				}
 				++q;
 				break;
 
 			default:
-				bb_error_msg("invalid argument syntax for %s", key);
-				return 0;
+				bb_error_msg_and_die("invalid argument syntax for %s", key);
 			}
 		}
-
-end_of_arg:
+ end_of_arg:
 		if (n < min) {
-			bb_error_msg("too few values for %s (min %d)", key, min);
-			return 0;
+			bb_error_msg_and_die("too few values for %s (min %d)", key, min);
 		}
 
-		argc--, argv++;
+		argc--;
+		argv++;
 	}
-
-	return 1;
 }
 
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_INSMOD_VERSION_CHECKING
@@ -2644,8 +2618,7 @@ static int new_is_module_checksummed(struct obj_file *f)
 	const char *p = get_modinfo_value(f, "using_checksums");
 	if (p)
 		return xatoi(p);
-	else
-		return 0;
+	return 0;
 }
 
 /* Get the module's kernel version in the canonical integer form.  */
@@ -2679,7 +2652,7 @@ new_get_module_version(struct obj_file *f, char str[STRVERSIONLEN])
 
 /* Fetch the loaded modules, and all currently exported symbols.  */
 
-static int new_get_kernel_symbols(void)
+static void new_get_kernel_symbols(void)
 {
 	char *module_names, *mn;
 	struct external_module *modules, *m;
@@ -2688,15 +2661,17 @@ static int new_get_kernel_symbols(void)
 
 	/* Collect the loaded modules.  */
 
-	module_names = xmalloc(bufsize = 256);
-retry_modules_load:
+	bufsize = 256;
+	module_names = xmalloc(bufsize);
+
+ retry_modules_load:
 	if (query_module(NULL, QM_MODULES, module_names, bufsize, &ret)) {
 		if (errno == ENOSPC && bufsize < ret) {
-			module_names = xrealloc(module_names, bufsize = ret);
+			bufsize = ret;
+			module_names = xrealloc(module_names, bufsize);
 			goto retry_modules_load;
 		}
-		bb_perror_msg("QM_MODULES");
-		return 0;
+		bb_perror_msg_and_die("QM_MODULES");
 	}
 
 	n_ext_modules = nmod = ret;
@@ -2715,23 +2690,23 @@ retry_modules_load:
 					/* The module was removed out from underneath us.  */
 					continue;
 				}
-				bb_perror_msg("query_module: QM_INFO: %s", mn);
-				return 0;
+				bb_perror_msg_and_die("query_module: QM_INFO: %s", mn);
 			}
 
-			syms = xmalloc(bufsize = 1024);
-retry_mod_sym_load:
+			bufsize = 1024;
+			syms = xmalloc(bufsize);
+ retry_mod_sym_load:
 			if (query_module(mn, QM_SYMBOLS, syms, bufsize, &ret)) {
 				switch (errno) {
 					case ENOSPC:
-						syms = xrealloc(syms, bufsize = ret);
+						bufsize = ret;
+						syms = xrealloc(syms, bufsize);
 						goto retry_mod_sym_load;
 					case ENOENT:
 						/* The module was removed out from underneath us.  */
 						continue;
 					default:
-						bb_perror_msg("query_module: QM_SYMBOLS: %s", mn);
-						return 0;
+						bb_perror_msg_and_die("query_module: QM_SYMBOLS: %s", mn);
 				}
 			}
 			nsyms = ret;
@@ -2750,14 +2725,13 @@ retry_mod_sym_load:
 	/* Collect the kernel's symbols.  */
 
 	syms = xmalloc(bufsize = 16 * 1024);
-retry_kern_sym_load:
+ retry_kern_sym_load:
 	if (query_module(NULL, QM_SYMBOLS, syms, bufsize, &ret)) {
 		if (errno == ENOSPC && bufsize < ret) {
 			syms = xrealloc(syms, bufsize = ret);
 			goto retry_kern_sym_load;
 		}
-		bb_perror_msg("kernel: QM_SYMBOLS");
-		return 0;
+		bb_perror_msg_and_die("kernel: QM_SYMBOLS");
 	}
 	nksyms = nsyms = ret;
 	ksyms = syms;
@@ -2765,7 +2739,6 @@ retry_kern_sym_load:
 	for (j = 0, s = syms; j < nsyms; ++j, ++s) {
 		s->name += (unsigned long) syms;
 	}
-	return 1;
 }
 
 
@@ -2786,7 +2759,7 @@ static int new_is_kernel_checksummed(void)
 }
 
 
-static int new_create_this_module(struct obj_file *f, const char *m_name)
+static void  new_create_this_module(struct obj_file *f, const char *m_name)
 {
 	struct obj_section *sec;
 
@@ -2800,8 +2773,6 @@ static int new_create_this_module(struct obj_file *f, const char *m_name)
 
 	obj_string_patch(f, sec->idx, offsetof(struct new_module, name),
 			m_name);
-
-	return 1;
 }
 
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_INSMOD_KSYMOOPS_SYMBOLS
@@ -2985,7 +2956,7 @@ new_init_module(const char *m_name, struct obj_file *f, unsigned long m_size)
 
 /*======================================================================*/
 
-static int
+static void
 obj_string_patch(struct obj_file *f, int secidx, ElfW(Addr) offset,
 				 const char *string)
 {
@@ -3010,11 +2981,9 @@ obj_string_patch(struct obj_file *f, int secidx, ElfW(Addr) offset,
 		loc = obj_extend_section(strsec, len);
 	}
 	memcpy(loc, string, len);
-
-	return 1;
 }
 
-static int
+static void 
 obj_symbol_patch(struct obj_file *f, int secidx, ElfW(Addr) offset,
 				 struct obj_symbol *sym)
 {
@@ -3026,14 +2995,11 @@ obj_symbol_patch(struct obj_file *f, int secidx, ElfW(Addr) offset,
 	p->reloc_offset = offset;
 	p->sym = sym;
 	f->symbol_patches = p;
-
-	return 1;
 }
 
-static int obj_check_undefineds(struct obj_file *f)
+static void obj_check_undefineds(struct obj_file *f)
 {
-	unsigned long i;
-	int ret = 1;
+	unsigned i;
 
 	for (i = 0; i < HASH_BUCKETS; ++i) {
 		struct obj_symbol *sym;
@@ -3043,15 +3009,11 @@ static int obj_check_undefineds(struct obj_file *f)
 					sym->secidx = SHN_ABS;
 					sym->value = 0;
 				} else {
-					if (!flag_quiet) {
-						bb_error_msg("unresolved symbol %s", sym->name);
-					}
-					ret = 0;
+					if (!flag_quiet)
+						bb_error_msg_and_die("unresolved symbol %s", sym->name);
 				}
 			}
 	}
-
-	return ret;
 }
 
 static void obj_allocate_commons(struct obj_file *f)
@@ -3114,7 +3076,6 @@ static void obj_allocate_commons(struct obj_file *f)
 			f->sections[i] = sec = arch_new_section();
 			f->header.e_shnum = i + 1;
 
-			memset(sec, 0, sizeof(*sec));
 			sec->header.sh_type = SHT_PROGBITS;
 			sec->header.sh_flags = SHF_WRITE | SHF_ALLOC;
 			sec->name = ".bss";
@@ -3347,44 +3308,38 @@ static struct obj_file *obj_load(FILE * fp, int loadprogbits)
 	/* Read the file header.  */
 
 	f = arch_new_file();
-	memset(f, 0, sizeof(*f));
 	f->symbol_cmp = strcmp;
 	f->symbol_hash = obj_elf_hash;
 	f->load_order_search_start = &f->load_order;
 
 	fseek(fp, 0, SEEK_SET);
 	if (fread(&f->header, sizeof(f->header), 1, fp) != 1) {
-		bb_perror_msg("error reading ELF header");
-		return NULL;
+		bb_perror_msg_and_die("error reading ELF header");
 	}
 
 	if (f->header.e_ident[EI_MAG0] != ELFMAG0
 			|| f->header.e_ident[EI_MAG1] != ELFMAG1
 			|| f->header.e_ident[EI_MAG2] != ELFMAG2
 			|| f->header.e_ident[EI_MAG3] != ELFMAG3) {
-		bb_error_msg("not an ELF file");
-		return NULL;
+		bb_error_msg_and_die("not an ELF file");
 	}
 	if (f->header.e_ident[EI_CLASS] != ELFCLASSM
 			|| f->header.e_ident[EI_DATA] != (BB_BIG_ENDIAN
 				? ELFDATA2MSB : ELFDATA2LSB)
 			|| f->header.e_ident[EI_VERSION] != EV_CURRENT
 			|| !MATCH_MACHINE(f->header.e_machine)) {
-		bb_error_msg("ELF file not for this architecture");
-		return NULL;
+		bb_error_msg_and_die("ELF file not for this architecture");
 	}
 	if (f->header.e_type != ET_REL) {
-		bb_error_msg("ELF file not a relocatable object");
-		return NULL;
+		bb_error_msg_and_die("ELF file not a relocatable object");
 	}
 
 	/* Read the section headers.  */
 
 	if (f->header.e_shentsize != sizeof(ElfW(Shdr))) {
-		bb_error_msg("section header size mismatch: %lu != %lu",
+		bb_error_msg_and_die("section header size mismatch: %lu != %lu",
 				(unsigned long) f->header.e_shentsize,
 				(unsigned long) sizeof(ElfW(Shdr)));
-		return NULL;
 	}
 
 	shnum = f->header.e_shnum;
@@ -3394,8 +3349,7 @@ static struct obj_file *obj_load(FILE * fp, int loadprogbits)
 	section_headers = alloca(sizeof(ElfW(Shdr)) * shnum);
 	fseek(fp, f->header.e_shoff, SEEK_SET);
 	if (fread(section_headers, sizeof(ElfW(Shdr)), shnum, fp) != shnum) {
-		bb_perror_msg("error reading ELF section headers");
-		return NULL;
+		bb_perror_msg_and_die("error reading ELF section headers");
 	}
 
 	/* Read the section data.  */
@@ -3404,7 +3358,6 @@ static struct obj_file *obj_load(FILE * fp, int loadprogbits)
 		struct obj_section *sec;
 
 		f->sections[i] = sec = arch_new_section();
-		memset(sec, 0, sizeof(*sec));
 
 		sec->header = section_headers[i];
 		sec->idx = i;
@@ -3431,8 +3384,7 @@ static struct obj_file *obj_load(FILE * fp, int loadprogbits)
 					sec->contents = xmalloc(sec->header.sh_size);
 					fseek(fp, sec->header.sh_offset, SEEK_SET);
 					if (fread(sec->contents, sec->header.sh_size, 1, fp) != 1) {
-						bb_perror_msg("error reading ELF section data");
-						return NULL;
+						bb_perror_msg_and_die("error reading ELF section data");
 					}
 				} else {
 					sec->contents = NULL;
@@ -3441,14 +3393,11 @@ static struct obj_file *obj_load(FILE * fp, int loadprogbits)
 
 #if SHT_RELM == SHT_REL
 			case SHT_RELA:
-				bb_error_msg("RELA relocations not supported on this architecture");
-				return NULL;
+				bb_error_msg_and_die("RELA relocations not supported on this architecture");
 #else
 			case SHT_REL:
-				bb_error_msg("REL relocations not supported on this architecture");
-				return NULL;
+				bb_error_msg_and_die("REL relocations not supported on this architecture");
 #endif
-
 			default:
 				if (sec->header.sh_type >= SHT_LOPROC) {
 					/* Assume processor specific section types are debug
@@ -3458,9 +3407,8 @@ static struct obj_file *obj_load(FILE * fp, int loadprogbits)
 					break;
 				}
 
-				bb_error_msg("can't handle sections of type %ld",
+				bb_error_msg_and_die("can't handle sections of type %ld",
 						(long) sec->header.sh_type);
-				return NULL;
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -3494,10 +3442,9 @@ static struct obj_file *obj_load(FILE * fp, int loadprogbits)
 				ElfW(Sym) * sym;
 
 				if (sec->header.sh_entsize != sizeof(ElfW(Sym))) {
-					bb_error_msg("symbol size mismatch: %lu != %lu",
+					bb_error_msg_and_die("symbol size mismatch: %lu != %lu",
 							(unsigned long) sec->header.sh_entsize,
 							(unsigned long) sizeof(ElfW(Sym)));
-					return NULL;
 				}
 
 				nsym = sec->header.sh_size / sizeof(ElfW(Sym));
@@ -3528,7 +3475,6 @@ static struct obj_file *obj_load(FILE * fp, int loadprogbits)
 					 */
 					val |= sym->st_other & 4;
 #endif
-
 					obj_add_symbol(f, name, j, sym->st_info, sym->st_shndx,
 							val, sym->st_size);
 				}
@@ -3537,10 +3483,9 @@ static struct obj_file *obj_load(FILE * fp, int loadprogbits)
 
 		case SHT_RELM:
 			if (sec->header.sh_entsize != sizeof(ElfW(RelM))) {
-				bb_error_msg("relocation entry size mismatch: %lu != %lu",
+				bb_error_msg_and_die("relocation entry size mismatch: %lu != %lu",
 						(unsigned long) sec->header.sh_entsize,
 						(unsigned long) sizeof(ElfW(RelM)));
-				return NULL;
 			}
 			break;
 			/* XXX  Relocation code from modutils-2.3.19 is not here.
@@ -3638,8 +3583,9 @@ static int obj_gpl_license(struct obj_file *f, const char **license)
 				}
 				return 2;
 			}
-			if (strchr(ptr, '\0'))
-				ptr = strchr(ptr, '\0') + 1;
+			ptr = strchr(ptr, '\0');
+			if (ptr)
+				ptr++;
 			else
 				ptr = endptr;
 		}
@@ -3648,12 +3594,12 @@ static int obj_gpl_license(struct obj_file *f, const char **license)
 }
 
 #define TAINT_FILENAME                  "/proc/sys/kernel/tainted"
-#define TAINT_PROPRIETORY_MODULE        (1<<0)
-#define TAINT_FORCED_MODULE             (1<<1)
-#define TAINT_UNSAFE_SMP                (1<<2)
+#define TAINT_PROPRIETORY_MODULE        (1 << 0)
+#define TAINT_FORCED_MODULE             (1 << 1)
+#define TAINT_UNSAFE_SMP                (1 << 2)
 #define TAINT_URL                       "http://www.tux.org/lkml/#export-tainted"
 
-static void set_tainted(struct obj_file *f, int fd, char *m_name,
+static void set_tainted(int fd, char *m_name,
 		int kernel_has_tainted, int taint, const char *text1, const char *text2)
 {
 	static smallint printed_info;
@@ -3703,22 +3649,22 @@ static void check_tainted_module(struct obj_file *f, char *m_name)
 		case 0:
 			break;
 		case 1:
-			set_tainted(f, fd, m_name, kernel_has_tainted, TAINT_PROPRIETORY_MODULE, "no license", "");
+			set_tainted(fd, m_name, kernel_has_tainted, TAINT_PROPRIETORY_MODULE, "no license", "");
 			break;
 		case 2:
 			/* The module has a non-GPL license so we pretend that the
 			 * kernel always has a taint flag to get a warning even on
 			 * kernels without the proc flag.
 			 */
-			set_tainted(f, fd, m_name, 1, TAINT_PROPRIETORY_MODULE, "non-GPL license - ", ptr);
+			set_tainted(fd, m_name, 1, TAINT_PROPRIETORY_MODULE, "non-GPL license - ", ptr);
 			break;
 		default:
-			set_tainted(f, fd, m_name, 1, TAINT_PROPRIETORY_MODULE, "Unexpected return from obj_gpl_license", "");
+			set_tainted(fd, m_name, 1, TAINT_PROPRIETORY_MODULE, "Unexpected return from obj_gpl_license", "");
 			break;
 	}
 
 	if (flag_force_load)
-		set_tainted(f, fd, m_name, 1, TAINT_FORCED_MODULE, "forced load", "");
+		set_tainted(fd, m_name, 1, TAINT_FORCED_MODULE, "forced load", "");
 
 	if (fd >= 0)
 		close(fd);
@@ -3752,15 +3698,7 @@ add_ksymoops_symbols(struct obj_file *f, const char *filename,
 				 const char *m_name)
 {
 	static const char symprefix[] ALIGN1 = "__insmod_";
-
-	struct obj_section *sec;
-	struct obj_symbol *sym;
-	char *name, *absolute_filename;
-	char str[STRVERSIONLEN], real[PATH_MAX];
-	int i, l, lm_name, lfilename, use_ksymtab, version;
-	struct stat statbuf;
-
-	static const char *section_names[] = {
+	static const char section_names[][8] = {
 		".text",
 		".rodata",
 		".data",
@@ -3768,12 +3706,18 @@ add_ksymoops_symbols(struct obj_file *f, const char *filename,
 		".sbss"
 	};
 
-	if (realpath(filename, real)) {
-		absolute_filename = xstrdup(real);
-	} else {
-		bb_perror_msg("cannot get realpath for %s", filename);
+	struct obj_section *sec;
+	struct obj_symbol *sym;
+	char *name, *absolute_filename;
+	char str[STRVERSIONLEN];
+	int i, l, lm_name, lfilename, use_ksymtab, version;
+	struct stat statbuf;
+
+	/* WARNING: was using realpath, but replaced by readlink to stop using
+	 * lots of stack. But here it seems to be able to cause problems? */
+	absolute_filename = xmalloc_readlink(filename);
+	if (!absolute_filename)
 		absolute_filename = xstrdup(filename);
-	}
 
 	lm_name = strlen(m_name);
 	lfilename = strlen(absolute_filename);
@@ -3791,22 +3735,22 @@ add_ksymoops_symbols(struct obj_file *f, const char *filename,
 		 * is 0xffffff, decimal 16777215.  putting all three fields in
 		 * one symbol is less readable but saves kernel space.
 		 */
-		l = sizeof(symprefix)+			/* "__insmod_" */
-			lm_name+				/* module name */
-			2+					/* "_O" */
-			lfilename+				/* object filename */
-			2+					/* "_M" */
-			2*sizeof(statbuf.st_mtime)+		/* mtime in hex */
-			2+					/* "_V" */
-			8+					/* version in dec */
-			1;					/* nul */
+		l = sizeof(symprefix) +                 /* "__insmod_" */
+			lm_name +                       /* module name */
+			2 +                             /* "_O" */
+			lfilename +                     /* object filename */
+			2 +                             /* "_M" */
+			2 * sizeof(statbuf.st_mtime) +  /* mtime in hex */
+			2 +                             /* "_V" */
+			8 +                             /* version in dec */
+			1;                              /* nul */
 		name = xmalloc(l);
 		if (stat(absolute_filename, &statbuf) != 0)
 			statbuf.st_mtime = 0;
 		version = get_module_version(f, str);	/* -1 if not found */
 		snprintf(name, l, "%s%s_O%s_M%0*lX_V%d",
 				symprefix, m_name, absolute_filename,
-				(int)(2*sizeof(statbuf.st_mtime)), statbuf.st_mtime,
+				(int)(2 * sizeof(statbuf.st_mtime)), statbuf.st_mtime,
 				version);
 		sym = obj_add_symbol(f, name, -1,
 				ELF_ST_INFO(STB_GLOBAL, STT_NOTYPE),
@@ -3819,11 +3763,11 @@ add_ksymoops_symbols(struct obj_file *f, const char *filename,
 	/* record where the persistent data is going, same address as previous symbol */
 
 	if (f->persist) {
-		l = sizeof(symprefix)+		/* "__insmod_" */
-			lm_name+		/* module name */
-			2+			/* "_P" */
-			strlen(f->persist)+	/* data store */
-			1;			/* nul */
+		l = sizeof(symprefix) +         /* "__insmod_" */
+			lm_name +               /* module name */
+			2 +                     /* "_P" */
+			strlen(f->persist) +    /* data store */
+			1;                      /* nul */
 		name = xmalloc(l);
 		snprintf(name, l, "%s%s_P%s",
 				symprefix, m_name, f->persist);
@@ -3838,13 +3782,13 @@ add_ksymoops_symbols(struct obj_file *f, const char *filename,
 	for (i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(section_names); ++i) {
 		sec = obj_find_section(f, section_names[i]);
 		if (sec && sec->header.sh_size) {
-			l = sizeof(symprefix)+		/* "__insmod_" */
-				lm_name+		/* module name */
-				2+			/* "_S" */
-				strlen(sec->name)+	/* section name */
-				2+			/* "_L" */
-				8+			/* length in dec */
-				1;			/* nul */
+			l = sizeof(symprefix) +         /* "__insmod_" */
+				lm_name +               /* module name */
+				2 +                     /* "_S" */
+				strlen(sec->name) +     /* section name */
+				2 +                     /* "_L" */
+				8 +                     /* length in dec */
+				1;                      /* nul */
 			name = xmalloc(l);
 			snprintf(name, l, "%s%s_S%s_L%ld",
 					symprefix, m_name, sec->name,
@@ -3891,9 +3835,10 @@ static void print_load_map(struct obj_file *f)
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_INSMOD_LOAD_MAP_FULL
 	/* Quick reference which section indicies are loaded.  */
 
-	loaded = alloca(sizeof(int) * (i = f->header.e_shnum));
+	i = f->header.e_shnum;
+	loaded = alloca(sizeof(int) * i);
 	while (--i >= 0)
-		loaded[i] = (f->sections[i]->header.sh_flags & SHF_ALLOC) != 0;
+		loaded[i] = ((f->sections[i]->header.sh_flags & SHF_ALLOC) != 0);
 
 	/* Collect the symbols we'll be listing.  */
 
@@ -3963,7 +3908,7 @@ int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
 	ElfW(Addr) m_addr;
 	struct obj_file *f;
 	struct stat st;
-	char *m_name = 0;
+	char *m_name = NULL;
 	int exit_status = EXIT_FAILURE;
 	int m_has_modinfo;
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_INSMOD_VERSION_CHECKING
@@ -4027,7 +3972,7 @@ int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
 		m_name = tmp;
 	} else {
 		free(tmp1);
-		tmp1 = 0;       /* flag for free(m_name) before exit() */
+		tmp1 = NULL;       /* flag for free(m_name) before exit() */
 	}
 
 	/* Get a filedesc for the module.  Check that we have a complete path */
@@ -4039,7 +3984,6 @@ int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
 		if (k_version) {	/* uname succeedd */
 			char *module_dir;
 			char *tmdn;
-			char real_module_dir[FILENAME_MAX];
 
 			tmdn = concat_path_file(_PATH_MODULES, myuname.release);
 			/* Jump through hoops in case /lib/modules/`uname -r`
@@ -4047,36 +3991,37 @@ int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
 			 * follow symlinks, but we do want to follow the
 			 * /lib/modules/`uname -r` dir, So resolve it ourselves
 			 * if it is a link... */
-			if (realpath(tmdn, real_module_dir) == NULL)
-				module_dir = tmdn;
-			else
-				module_dir = real_module_dir;
+			module_dir = xmalloc_readlink(tmdn);
+			if (!module_dir)
+				module_dir = xstrdup(tmdn);
 			recursive_action(module_dir, ACTION_RECURSE,
-					check_module_name_match, 0, m_fullName, 0);
+					check_module_name_match, NULL, m_fullName, 0);
+			free(module_dir);
 			free(tmdn);
 		}
 
 		/* Check if we have found anything yet */
 		if (!m_filename || ((fp = fopen(m_filename, "r")) == NULL)) {
-			char module_dir[FILENAME_MAX];
+			int r;
+			char *module_dir;
 
 			free(m_filename);
 			m_filename = NULL;
-			if (realpath(_PATH_MODULES, module_dir) == NULL)
-				strcpy(module_dir, _PATH_MODULES);
+			module_dir = xmalloc_readlink(_PATH_MODULES);
+			if (!module_dir)
+				module_dir = xstrdup(_PATH_MODULES);
 			/* No module found under /lib/modules/`uname -r`, this
 			 * time cast the net a bit wider.  Search /lib/modules/ */
-			if (!recursive_action(module_dir, ACTION_RECURSE,
-						    check_module_name_match, 0, m_fullName, 0)
-			) {
-				if (m_filename == 0
-				 || ((fp = fopen(m_filename, "r")) == NULL)
-				) {
-					bb_error_msg("%s: module not found", m_fullName);
-					goto out;
-				}
-			} else
+			r = recursive_action(module_dir, ACTION_RECURSE,
+					check_module_name_match, NULL, m_fullName, 0);
+			if (r)
 				bb_error_msg_and_die("%s: module not found", m_fullName);
+			free(module_dir);
+			if (m_filename == NULL
+			 || ((fp = fopen(m_filename, "r")) == NULL)
+			) {
+				bb_error_msg_and_die("%s: module not found", m_fullName);
+			}
 		}
 	} else
 		m_filename = xstrdup(arg1);
@@ -4093,8 +4038,6 @@ int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
 #endif
 
 	f = obj_load(fp, LOADBITS);
-	if (f == NULL)
-		bb_perror_msg_and_die("cannot load the module");
 
 	if (get_modinfo_value(f, "kernel_version") == NULL)
 		m_has_modinfo = 0;
@@ -4109,9 +4052,8 @@ int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
 		if (m_has_modinfo) {
 			m_version = new_get_module_version(f, m_strversion);
 			if (m_version == -1) {
-				bb_error_msg("cannot find the kernel version the module was "
+				bb_error_msg_and_die("cannot find the kernel version the module was "
 						"compiled for");
-				goto out;
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -4128,14 +4070,10 @@ int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
 	k_crcs = 0;
 #endif /* FEATURE_INSMOD_VERSION_CHECKING */
 
-	if (!query_module(NULL, 0, NULL, 0, NULL)) {
-		if (!new_get_kernel_symbols())
-			goto out;
-		k_crcs = new_is_kernel_checksummed();
-	} else {
-		bb_error_msg("not configured to support old kernels");
-		goto out;
-	}
+	if (query_module(NULL, 0, NULL, 0, NULL))
+		bb_error_msg_and_die("not configured to support old kernels");
+	new_get_kernel_symbols();
+	k_crcs = new_is_kernel_checksummed();
 
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_INSMOD_VERSION_CHECKING
 	m_crcs = 0;
@@ -4151,22 +4089,15 @@ int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	/* Allocate common symbols, symbol tables, and string tables.  */
 
-	if (!new_create_this_module(f, m_name)) {
-		goto out;
-	}
-
-	if (!obj_check_undefineds(f)) {
-		goto out;
-	}
+	new_create_this_module(f, m_name);
+	obj_check_undefineds(f);
 	obj_allocate_commons(f);
 	check_tainted_module(f, m_name);
 
 	/* done with the module name, on to the optional var=value arguments */
 	++optind;
 	if (optind < argc) {
-		if (!new_process_module_arguments(f, argc - optind, argv + optind)) {
-			goto out;
-		}
+		new_process_module_arguments(f, argc - optind, argv + optind);
 	}
 
 	arch_create_got(f);
@@ -4181,22 +4112,18 @@ int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
 	/* Find current size of the module */
 	m_size = obj_load_size(f);
 
-
 	m_addr = create_module(m_name, m_size);
 	if (m_addr == -1) switch (errno) {
 		case EEXIST:
-			bb_error_msg("a module named %s already exists", m_name);
-			goto out;
+			bb_error_msg_and_die("a module named %s already exists", m_name);
 		case ENOMEM:
-			bb_error_msg("can't allocate kernel memory for module; needed %lu bytes",
+			bb_error_msg_and_die("can't allocate kernel memory for module; needed %lu bytes",
 					m_size);
-			goto out;
 		default:
-			bb_perror_msg("create_module: %s", m_name);
-			goto out;
+			bb_perror_msg_and_die("create_module: %s", m_name);
 	}
 
-#if  !LOADBITS
+#if !LOADBITS
 	/*
 	 * the PROGBITS section was not loaded by the obj_load
 	 * now we can load them directly into the kernel memory
@@ -4222,7 +4149,7 @@ int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	exit_status = EXIT_SUCCESS;
 
-out:
+ out:
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_CLEAN_UP
 	if (fp)
 		fclose(fp);
@@ -4234,8 +4161,10 @@ out:
 	return exit_status;
 }
 
-
-#endif
+#endif /* ENABLE_FEATURE_2_4_MODULES */
+/*
+ * End of big piece of 2.4-specific code
+ */
 
 
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_2_6_MODULES
@@ -4249,20 +4178,24 @@ static const char *moderror(int err)
 {
 	switch (err) {
 	case ENOEXEC:
-		return "Invalid module format";
+		return "invalid module format";
 	case ENOENT:
-		return "Unknown symbol in module";
+		return "unknown symbol in module";
 	case ESRCH:
-		return "Module has wrong symbol version";
+		return "module has wrong symbol version";
 	case EINVAL:
-		return "Invalid parameters";
+		return "invalid parameters";
 	default:
 		return strerror(err);
 	}
 }
 
-int insmod_ng_main(int argc, char **argv) MAIN_EXTERNALLY_VISIBLE;
-int insmod_ng_main(int argc, char **argv)
+#if !ENABLE_FEATURE_2_4_MODULES
+int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv) MAIN_EXTERNALLY_VISIBLE;
+int insmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
+#else
+static int insmod_ng_main(int argc, char **argv)
+#endif
 {
 	long ret;
 	size_t len;
diff --git a/modutils/lsmod.c b/modutils/lsmod.c
index 70146814c..f1f78ff9f 100644
--- a/modutils/lsmod.c
+++ b/modutils/lsmod.c
@@ -28,17 +28,17 @@ static void check_tainted(void)
 	FILE *f;
 
 	tainted = 0;
-	if ((f = fopen(TAINT_FILENAME, "r"))) {
+	f = fopen(TAINT_FILENAME, "r");
+	if (f) {
 		fscanf(f, "%d", &tainted);
 		fclose(f);
 	}
-	if (f && tainted) {
+	if (tainted) {
 		printf("    Tainted: %c%c%c\n",
 				tainted & TAINT_PROPRIETORY_MODULE      ? 'P' : 'G',
 				tainted & TAINT_FORCED_MODULE           ? 'F' : ' ',
 				tainted & TAINT_UNSAFE_SMP              ? 'S' : ' ');
-	}
-	else {
+	} else {
 		printf("    Not tainted\n");
 	}
 }
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ int lsmod_main(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	printf("Module                  Size  Used by");
 	check_tainted();
-#if defined(CONFIG_FEATURE_LSMOD_PRETTY_2_6_OUTPUT)
+#if ENABLE_FEATURE_LSMOD_PRETTY_2_6_OUTPUT
 	{
 		char *line;
 		while ((line = xmalloc_fgets(file)) != NULL) {
diff --git a/modutils/modprobe.c b/modutils/modprobe.c
index a67ddea9b..f7d193a05 100644
--- a/modutils/modprobe.c
+++ b/modutils/modprobe.c
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 #include <sys/utsname.h>
 #include <fnmatch.h>
 
+#define line_buffer bb_common_bufsiz1
+
 struct mod_opt_t {	/* one-way list of options to pass to a module */
 	char *  m_opt_val;
 	struct mod_opt_t * m_next;
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ struct mod_list_t {	/* two-way list of modules to process */
 
 static struct dep_t *depend;
 
-#define main_options "acdklnqrst:vVC:"
+#define MAIN_OPT_STR "acdklnqrst:vVC:"
 #define INSERT_ALL     1        /* a */
 #define DUMP_CONF_EXIT 2        /* c */
 #define D_OPT_IGNORED  4        /* d */
@@ -63,14 +65,12 @@ static struct dep_t *depend;
 #define VERSION_ONLY   2048     /* V */
 #define CONFIG_FILE    4096     /* C */
 
-#define autoclean       (main_opts & AUTOCLEAN_FLG)
-#define show_only       (main_opts & SHOW_ONLY)
-#define quiet           (main_opts & QUIET)
-#define remove_opt      (main_opts & REMOVE_OPT)
-#define do_syslog       (main_opts & DO_SYSLOG)
-#define verbose         (main_opts & VERBOSE)
-
-static int main_opts;
+#define autoclean       (option_mask32 & AUTOCLEAN_FLG)
+#define show_only       (option_mask32 & SHOW_ONLY)
+#define quiet           (option_mask32 & QUIET)
+#define remove_opt      (option_mask32 & REMOVE_OPT)
+#define do_syslog       (option_mask32 & DO_SYSLOG)
+#define verbose         (option_mask32 & VERBOSE)
 
 static int parse_tag_value(char *buffer, char **ptag, char **pvalue)
 {
@@ -78,12 +78,15 @@ static int parse_tag_value(char *buffer, char **ptag, char **pvalue)
 
 	buffer = skip_whitespace(buffer);
 	tag = value = buffer;
-	while (!isspace(*value))
-		if (!*value) return 0;
-		else value++;
-	*value++ = 0;
+	while (!isspace(*value)) {
+		if (!*value)
+			return 0;
+		value++;
+	}
+	*value++ = '\0';
 	value = skip_whitespace(value);
-	if (!*value) return 0;
+	if (!*value)
+		return 0;
 
 	*ptag = tag;
 	*pvalue = value;
@@ -102,14 +105,14 @@ static struct mod_opt_t *append_option(struct mod_opt_t *opt_list, char *opt)
 		while (ol->m_next) {
 			ol = ol->m_next;
 		}
-		ol->m_next = xmalloc(sizeof(struct mod_opt_t));
+		ol->m_next = xzalloc(sizeof(struct mod_opt_t));
 		ol = ol->m_next;
 	} else {
-		ol = opt_list = xmalloc(sizeof(struct mod_opt_t));
+		ol = opt_list = xzalloc(sizeof(struct mod_opt_t));
 	}
 
 	ol->m_opt_val = xstrdup(opt);
-	ol->m_next = NULL;
+	/*ol->m_next = NULL; - done by xzalloc*/
 
 	return opt_list;
 }
@@ -190,7 +193,8 @@ static char *parse_command_string(char *src, char **dst)
 				case '0':
 					/* We escaped a special character. For now, keep
 					 * both the back-slash and the following char. */
-					tmp_str++; src++;
+					tmp_str++;
+					src++;
 					break;
 				default:
 					/* We escaped a space or a single or double quote,
@@ -242,12 +246,12 @@ static void include_conf(struct dep_t **first, struct dep_t **current, char *buf
 
 		p = strchr(buffer, '#');
 		if (p)
-			*p = 0;
+			*p = '\0';
 
 		l = strlen(buffer);
 
 		while (l && isspace(buffer[l-1])) {
-			buffer[l-1] = 0;
+			buffer[l-1] = '\0';
 			l--;
 		}
 
@@ -256,66 +260,68 @@ static void include_conf(struct dep_t **first, struct dep_t **current, char *buf
 			continue;
 		}
 
-		if (!continuation_line) {
-			if ((strncmp(buffer, "alias", 5) == 0) && isspace(buffer[5])) {
-				char *alias, *mod;
+		if (continuation_line)
+			continue;
 
-				if (parse_tag_value(buffer + 6, &alias, &mod)) {
-					/* handle alias as a module dependent on the aliased module */
-					if (!*current) {
-						(*first) = (*current) = xzalloc(sizeof(struct dep_t));
-					} else {
-						(*current)->m_next = xzalloc(sizeof(struct dep_t));
-						(*current) = (*current)->m_next;
-					}
-					(*current)->m_name  = xstrdup(alias);
-					(*current)->m_isalias = 1;
+		if ((strncmp(buffer, "alias", 5) == 0) && isspace(buffer[5])) {
+			char *alias, *mod;
 
-					if ((strcmp(mod, "off") == 0) || (strcmp(mod, "null") == 0)) {
-						(*current)->m_depcnt = 0;
-						(*current)->m_deparr = 0;
-					} else {
-						(*current)->m_depcnt  = 1;
-						(*current)->m_deparr  = xmalloc(1 * sizeof(char *));
-						(*current)->m_deparr[0] = xstrdup(mod);
-					}
-					(*current)->m_next    = 0;
+			if (parse_tag_value(buffer + 6, &alias, &mod)) {
+				/* handle alias as a module dependent on the aliased module */
+				if (!*current) {
+					(*first) = (*current) = xzalloc(sizeof(struct dep_t));
+				} else {
+					(*current)->m_next = xzalloc(sizeof(struct dep_t));
+					(*current) = (*current)->m_next;
 				}
-			} else if ((strncmp(buffer, "options", 7) == 0) && isspace(buffer[7])) {
-				char *mod, *opt;
+				(*current)->m_name = xstrdup(alias);
+				(*current)->m_isalias = 1;
 
-				/* split the line in the module/alias name, and options */
-				if (parse_tag_value(buffer + 8, &mod, &opt)) {
-					struct dep_t *dt;
+				if ((strcmp(mod, "off") == 0) || (strcmp(mod, "null") == 0)) {
+					/*(*current)->m_depcnt = 0; - done by xzalloc */
+					/*(*current)->m_deparr = 0;*/
+				} else {
+					(*current)->m_depcnt = 1;
+					(*current)->m_deparr = xmalloc(sizeof(char *));
+					(*current)->m_deparr[0] = xstrdup(mod);
+				}
+				/*(*current)->m_next = NULL; - done by xzalloc */
+			}
+		} else if ((strncmp(buffer, "options", 7) == 0) && isspace(buffer[7])) {
+			char *mod, *opt;
 
-					/* find the corresponding module */
-					for (dt = *first; dt; dt = dt->m_next) {
-						if (strcmp(dt->m_name, mod) == 0)
-							break;
-					}
-					if (dt) {
-						if (ENABLE_FEATURE_MODPROBE_MULTIPLE_OPTIONS) {
-							char* new_opt = NULL;
-							while ((opt = parse_command_string(opt, &new_opt))) {
-								dt->m_options = append_option(dt->m_options, new_opt);
-							}
-						} else {
-							dt->m_options = append_option(dt->m_options, opt);
+			/* split the line in the module/alias name, and options */
+			if (parse_tag_value(buffer + 8, &mod, &opt)) {
+				struct dep_t *dt;
+
+				/* find the corresponding module */
+				for (dt = *first; dt; dt = dt->m_next) {
+					if (strcmp(dt->m_name, mod) == 0)
+						break;
+				}
+				if (dt) {
+					if (ENABLE_FEATURE_MODPROBE_MULTIPLE_OPTIONS) {
+						char* new_opt = NULL;
+						while ((opt = parse_command_string(opt, &new_opt))) {
+							dt->m_options = append_option(dt->m_options, new_opt);
 						}
+					} else {
+						dt->m_options = append_option(dt->m_options, opt);
 					}
 				}
-			} else if ((strncmp(buffer, "include", 7) == 0) && isspace(buffer[7])) {
-				int fdi; char *filename;
-
-				filename = skip_whitespace(buffer + 8);
-
-				if ((fdi = open(filename, O_RDONLY)) >= 0) {
-					include_conf(first, current, buffer, buflen, fdi);
-					close(fdi);
-				}
+			}
+		} else if ((strncmp(buffer, "include", 7) == 0) && isspace(buffer[7])) {
+			int fdi;
+			char *filename;
+
+			filename = skip_whitespace(buffer + 8);
+			fdi = open(filename, O_RDONLY);
+			if (fdi >= 0) {
+				include_conf(first, current, buffer, buflen, fdi);
+				close(fdi);
 			}
 		}
-	}
+	} /* while (reads(...)) */
 }
 
 /*
@@ -327,9 +333,8 @@ static struct dep_t *build_dep(void)
 {
 	int fd;
 	struct utsname un;
-	struct dep_t *first = 0;
-	struct dep_t *current = 0;
-	char buffer[2048];
+	struct dep_t *first = NULL;
+	struct dep_t *current = NULL;
 	char *filename;
 	int continuation_line = 0;
 	int k_version;
@@ -350,16 +355,16 @@ static struct dep_t *build_dep(void)
 		/* Ok, that didn't work.  Fall back to looking in /lib/modules */
 		fd = open("/lib/modules/modules.dep", O_RDONLY);
 		if (fd < 0) {
-			return 0;
+			bb_error_msg_and_die("cannot parse modules.dep");
 		}
 	}
 
-	while (reads(fd, buffer, sizeof(buffer))) {
-		int l = strlen(buffer);
+	while (reads(fd, line_buffer, sizeof(line_buffer))) {
+		int l = strlen(line_buffer);
 		char *p = 0;
 
-		while (l > 0 && isspace(buffer[l-1])) {
-			buffer[l-1] = 0;
+		while (l > 0 && isspace(line_buffer[l-1])) {
+			line_buffer[l-1] = '\0';
 			l--;
 		}
 
@@ -371,7 +376,7 @@ static struct dep_t *build_dep(void)
 		/* Is this a new module dep description? */
 		if (!continuation_line) {
 			/* find the dep beginning */
-			char *col = strchr(buffer, ':');
+			char *col = strchr(line_buffer, ':');
 			char *dot = col;
 
 			if (col) {
@@ -381,53 +386,52 @@ static struct dep_t *build_dep(void)
 				char *mod;
 
 				/* Find the beginning of the module file name */
-				*col = 0;
-				mods = bb_basename(buffer);
+				*col = '\0';
+				mods = bb_basename(line_buffer);
 
 				/* find the path of the module */
-				modpath = strchr(buffer, '/'); /* ... and this is the path */
+				modpath = strchr(line_buffer, '/'); /* ... and this is the path */
 				if (!modpath)
-					modpath = buffer; /* module with no path */
+					modpath = line_buffer; /* module with no path */
 				/* find the end of the module name in the file name */
 				if (ENABLE_FEATURE_2_6_MODULES &&
-				     (k_version > 4) && (*(col-3) == '.') &&
-				    (*(col-2) == 'k') && (*(col-1) == 'o'))
+				    (k_version > 4) && (col[-3] == '.') &&
+				    (col[-2] == 'k') && (col[-1] == 'o'))
 					dot = col - 3;
-				else
-					if ((*(col-2) == '.') && (*(col-1) == 'o'))
-						dot = col - 2;
+				else if ((col[-2] == '.') && (col[-1] == 'o'))
+					dot = col - 2;
 
 				mod = xstrndup(mods, dot - mods);
 
 				/* enqueue new module */
 				if (!current) {
-					first = current = xmalloc(sizeof(struct dep_t));
+					first = current = xzalloc(sizeof(struct dep_t));
 				} else {
-					current->m_next = xmalloc(sizeof(struct dep_t));
+					current->m_next = xzalloc(sizeof(struct dep_t));
 					current = current->m_next;
 				}
-				current->m_name    = mod;
-				current->m_path    = xstrdup(modpath);
-				current->m_options = NULL;
-				current->m_isalias = 0;
-				current->m_depcnt  = 0;
-				current->m_deparr  = 0;
-				current->m_next    = 0;
+				current->m_name = mod;
+				current->m_path = xstrdup(modpath);
+				/*current->m_options = NULL; - xzalloc did it*/
+				/*current->m_isalias = 0;*/
+				/*current->m_depcnt = 0;*/
+				/*current->m_deparr = 0;*/
+				/*current->m_next = 0;*/
 
 				p = col + 1;
 			} else
 				/* this line is not a dep description */
-				p = 0;
+				p = NULL;
 		} else
 			/* It's a dep description continuation */
-			p = buffer;
+			p = line_buffer;
 
 		while (p && *p && isblank(*p))
 			p++;
 
 		/* p points to the first dependable module; if NULL, no dependable module */
 		if (p && *p) {
-			char *end = &buffer[l-1];
+			char *end = &line_buffer[l-1];
 			const char *deps;
 			char *dep;
 			char *next;
@@ -440,7 +444,7 @@ static struct dep_t *build_dep(void)
 				/* search the end of the dependency */
 				next = strchr(p, ' ');
 				if (next) {
-					*next = 0;
+					*next = '\0';
 					next--;
 				} else
 					next = end;
@@ -454,12 +458,11 @@ static struct dep_t *build_dep(void)
 
 				/* find the end of the module name in the file name */
 				if (ENABLE_FEATURE_2_6_MODULES
-				 && (k_version > 4) && (*(next-2) == '.')
-				 && (*(next-1) == 'k') && (*next == 'o'))
+				 && (k_version > 4) && (next[-2] == '.')
+				 && (next[-1] == 'k') && (next[0] == 'o'))
 					ext = 3;
-				else
-					if ((*(next-1) == '.') && (*next == 'o'))
-						ext = 2;
+				else if ((next[-1] == '.') && (next[0] == 'o'))
+					ext = 2;
 
 				/* Cope with blank lines */
 				if ((next-deps-ext+1) <= 0)
@@ -477,11 +480,8 @@ static struct dep_t *build_dep(void)
 		}
 
 		/* is there other dependable module(s) ? */
-		if (buffer[l-1] == '\\')
-			continuation_line = 1;
-		else
-			continuation_line = 0;
-	}
+		continuation_line = (line_buffer[l-1] == '\\');
+	} /* while (reads(...)) */
 	close(fd);
 
 	/*
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ static struct dep_t *build_dep(void)
 				fd = open("/etc/conf.modules", O_RDONLY);
 
 	if (fd >= 0) {
-		include_conf(&first, &current, buffer, sizeof(buffer), fd);
+		include_conf(&first, &current, line_buffer, sizeof(line_buffer), fd);
 		close(fd);
 	}
 
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ static struct dep_t *build_dep(void)
 			free(filename);
 
 		if (fd >= 0) {
-			include_conf(&first, &current, buffer, sizeof(buffer), fd);
+			include_conf(&first, &current, line_buffer, sizeof(line_buffer), fd);
 			close(fd);
 		}
 
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ static struct dep_t *build_dep(void)
 			free(filename);
 
 		if (fd >= 0) {
-			include_conf(&first, &current, buffer, sizeof(buffer), fd);
+			include_conf(&first, &current, line_buffer, sizeof(line_buffer), fd);
 			close(fd);
 		}
 	}
@@ -542,16 +542,15 @@ static struct dep_t *build_dep(void)
 static int already_loaded(const char *name)
 {
 	int fd, ret = 0;
-	char buffer[4096];
 
 	fd = open("/proc/modules", O_RDONLY);
 	if (fd < 0)
 		return -1;
 
-	while (reads(fd, buffer, sizeof(buffer))) {
+	while (reads(fd, line_buffer, sizeof(line_buffer))) {
 		char *p;
 
-		p = strchr (buffer, ' ');
+		p = strchr(line_buffer, ' ');
 		if (p) {
 			const char *n;
 
@@ -559,8 +558,8 @@ static int already_loaded(const char *name)
 			// the idiosyncrasy that _ and - are interchangeable because the
 			// 2.6 kernel does weird things.
 
-			*p = 0;
-			for (p = buffer, n = name; ; p++, n++) {
+			*p = '\0';
+			for (p = line_buffer, n = name; ; p++, n++) {
 				if (*p != *n) {
 					if ((*p == '_' || *p == '-') && (*n == '_' || *n == '-'))
 						continue;
@@ -574,8 +573,8 @@ static int already_loaded(const char *name)
 			}
 		}
 	}
-done:
-	close (fd);
+ done:
+	close(fd);
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -623,7 +622,7 @@ static int mod_process(const struct mod_list_t *list, int do_insert)
 				while (opts) {
 					/* Add one more option */
 					argc++;
-					argv = xrealloc(argv,(argc + 1)* sizeof(char*));
+					argv = xrealloc(argv, (argc + 1) * sizeof(char*));
 					argv[argc-1] = opts->m_opt_val;
 					opts = opts->m_next;
 				}
@@ -698,9 +697,8 @@ static int check_pattern(const char* pat_src, const char* mod_src)
 		}
 
 		return ret;
-	} else {
-		return fnmatch(pat_src, mod_src, 0);
 	}
+	return fnmatch(pat_src, mod_src, 0);
 }
 
 /*
@@ -712,8 +710,8 @@ static void check_dep(char *mod, struct mod_list_t **head, struct mod_list_t **t
 {
 	struct mod_list_t *find;
 	struct dep_t *dt;
-	struct mod_opt_t *opt = 0;
-	char *path = 0;
+	struct mod_opt_t *opt = NULL;
+	char *path = NULL;
 
 	/* Search for the given module name amongst all dependency rules.
 	 * The module name in a dependency rule can be a shell pattern,
@@ -765,8 +763,8 @@ static void check_dep(char *mod, struct mod_list_t **head, struct mod_list_t **t
 
 	// search for duplicates
 	for (find = *head; find; find = find->m_next) {
-		if (!strcmp(mod, find->m_name)) {
-			// found ->dequeue it
+		if (strcmp(mod, find->m_name) == 0) {
+			// found -> dequeue it
 
 			if (find->m_prev)
 				find->m_prev->m_next = find->m_next;
@@ -783,7 +781,7 @@ static void check_dep(char *mod, struct mod_list_t **head, struct mod_list_t **t
 	}
 
 	if (!find) { // did not find a duplicate
-		find = xmalloc(sizeof(struct mod_list_t));
+		find = xzalloc(sizeof(struct mod_list_t));
 		find->m_name = mod;
 		find->m_path = path;
 		find->m_options = opt;
@@ -793,7 +791,7 @@ static void check_dep(char *mod, struct mod_list_t **head, struct mod_list_t **t
 	if (*tail)
 		(*tail)->m_next = find;
 	find->m_prev = *tail;
-	find->m_next = 0;
+	/*find->m_next = NULL; - xzalloc did it */
 
 	if (!*head)
 		*head = find;
@@ -868,11 +866,11 @@ int modprobe_main(int argc, char **argv)
 	char *unused;
 
 	opt_complementary = "?V-:q-v:v-q";
-	main_opts = getopt32(argv, "acdklnqrst:vVC:",
-							&unused, &unused);
-	if (main_opts & (DUMP_CONF_EXIT | LIST_ALL))
+	getopt32(argv, MAIN_OPT_STR, &unused, &unused);
+
+	if (option_mask32 & (DUMP_CONF_EXIT | LIST_ALL))
 		return EXIT_SUCCESS;
-	if (main_opts & (RESTRICT_DIR | CONFIG_FILE))
+	if (option_mask32 & (RESTRICT_DIR | CONFIG_FILE))
 		bb_error_msg_and_die("-t and -C not supported");
 
 	depend = build_dep();
@@ -882,8 +880,8 @@ int modprobe_main(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	if (remove_opt) {
 		do {
-			if (mod_remove(optind < argc ?
-						argv[optind] : NULL)) {
+			/* argv[optind] can be NULL here */
+			if (mod_remove(argv[optind])) {
 				bb_error_msg("failed to remove module %s",
 						argv[optind]);
 				rc = EXIT_FAILURE;