[ajkessel]

I think we can rule out wifi being the issue. I've modified the script as follows:

#!/bin/sh
ifconfig wlan0 up
qndb -m mwcToast 3000 "Checking wifi"
if ( ifconfig|grep 'inet addr' )
then
qndb -m mwcToast 3000 "WiFi on"
else
qndb -m mwcToast 3000 "WiFi off, waiting"
sleep 5
fi
if ( ifconfig|grep 'inet addr' )
then
qndb -m mwcToast 3000 "WiFi on"
else
qndb -m mwcToast 3000 "WiFi still off"
fi
qndb -m mwcToast 3000 "Rescanning library"
qndb -t 60000 -s pfmDoneProcessing -m pfmRescanBooksFull
qndb -m mwcToast 3000 "Autoshelfing"
echo usb plug add >>/tmp/nickel-hardware-status  # Simulate plugging in the usb
sleep 10
echo usb plug remove >>/tmp/nickel-hardware-status # Simulate the disconnect of our simulated usb, takes a few sec after the sleep for the change to show up on the device
qndb -m mwcToast 3000 "Done"

Even while making sure WiFi is on and connected, it jumps immediately from "Rescanning library" to "Autoshelfing" -- there is virtually no delay in the interim.