yer i want it so when the user accesses the page it stores the variable to the hidden form etc. then it updates the variable so then when the counter goes again it doesnt start from the original value. or could i run the timer so it doenst have to do this. this is for a game i am making. my aim is for the timer to countdown to 0:00 then when it hits that it updates the databse and adds values like gold etc. then it resets to 5:00 and counts back down. i had that bit but when they accessed the page it went back to the original minute and second variable values. so could i run this in another file or sumthin *confused* note i have seen another site do this. if u access it or refresh it, its timer will keep going or be like the rite time. so lets say u refresh and it takes to seconds then the timer will be eg. 14:14 then 14:12.