ITCHy GRASS problem with DEM tapework

I've never had any trouble reading either DEM or Imagery data that has
  been brought on (raw) to disk and then imported. For the block size
  I just use... 1024 for Sun Workstations, 512 for Masscomps and HP's...

May not be the best way, but it works.
    __ __
   / ) / / ) Research Specialist
  / / _ /_ _ /__/ Ctr for Advanced Spatial Technologies
  (__/_(_)_/ /_/ )_ / _ National Ctr for Resource Innovations
    / 12 Ozark Hall, Univ. of Arkansas
   / Fayetteville, AR 72701
John E. Parks phone: (501) 575-6159
[john@tang.uark.edu] Internet or: (501) 575-4575