--- loncom/homework/lonhomework.pm	2004/02/13 21:21:30	1.163
+++ loncom/homework/lonhomework.pm	2004/02/16 19:19:31	1.167
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # The LON-CAPA Homework handler
 #
-# $Id: lonhomework.pm,v 1.163 2004/02/13 21:21:30 albertel Exp $
+# $Id: lonhomework.pm,v 1.167 2004/02/16 19:19:31 albertel Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -201,6 +201,17 @@ sub check_access {
     my $passed;
 
     if ($ENV{'request.state'} eq "construct") {
+	if ($ENV{'form.problemstate'}) {
+	    if ($ENV{'form.problemstate'} =~ /^CANNOT_ANSWER/) {
+		if ( ! ($ENV{'form.problemstate'} eq 'CANNOT_ANSWER_correct' &&
+			lc($Apache::lonhomework::problemstatus) eq 'no')) {
+		    return ('CANNOT_ANSWER','is in this state by royal decree.');
+		}
+	    } else {
+		return ($ENV{'form.problemstate'},
+			'is in this state by royal decree.');
+	    }
+	}
 	&Apache::lonxml::debug("in construction ignoring dates");
 	$status='CAN_ANSWER';
 	$datemsg=&mt('is in under construction');
@@ -267,8 +278,9 @@ sub check_access {
 	my $tries = $Apache::lonhomework::history{"resource.$id.tries"};
 	my $maxtries = &Apache::lonnet::EXT("resource.$id.maxtries");
 	if ( $tries eq '' ) { $tries = '0'; }
-	if ( $maxtries eq '' ) { $maxtries = '2'; } 
-	if ($tries >= $maxtries) { $status = 'CANNOT_ANSWER'; }
+	if ( $maxtries eq '' && 
+	     $ENV{'request.state'} ne 'construct') { $maxtries = '2'; } 
+	if ($maxtries && $tries >= $maxtries) { $status = 'CANNOT_ANSWER'; }
 	# if (correct and show prob status) or excused then CANNOT_ANSWER
 	if(($Apache::lonhomework::history{"resource.$id.solved"}=~/^correct/
 	    &&