can't find site files...

Sorry to be dominating this list with continuous what's wrong questions,
but hopefully in a few months I'll be able to answer a few...

The problem is that when I run s.surf.idw or newly created s.surf.krig
I get the problem:

  Mapset <dev> in Location <global>
  GRASS 4.0 > s.surf.idw

  OPTION: Name of input sites map
       key: input
  required: YES

  Enter the name of an existing sites file
  Enter 'list' for a list of existing sites files
  Hit RETURN to cancel request
  > list
  <list>
  ----------------------------------------------
  no sites files available
  ----------------------------------------------

  Enter the name of an existing sites file
  Enter 'list' for a list of existing sites files
  Hit RETURN to cancel request
  >

but when I run d.sites and do the "list" I get the following:

  > list
  <list>
  ----------------------------------------------
  sites files available in mapset dev:
  precip_1stq.test test

  sites files available in mapset grass_dat:
  papr.s pdec.s pjan.s pjun.s pmay.s poct.s pyr.s
  paug.s pfeb.s pjul.s pmar.s pnov.s pspt.s

  ----------------------------------------------

while it is quite probable that I've mucked up s.surf.krig, I know that
I have not done anything to s.surf.idw (except to add some comments)
except to recently recompile it. It used to find these sites just
fine...?

The directories are there the permissions all appear fine.
I've run MAKE.LINKS since compiling. hmmmmmmmm.

cheers,
chris