--- loncom/homework/lonhomework.pm	2006/06/30 05:10:29	1.255
+++ loncom/homework/lonhomework.pm	2006/07/20 03:57:38	1.257
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # The LON-CAPA Homework handler
 #
-# $Id: lonhomework.pm,v 1.255 2006/06/30 05:10:29 albertel Exp $
+# $Id: lonhomework.pm,v 1.257 2006/07/20 03:57:38 albertel Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -480,7 +480,11 @@ sub check_access {
 	    if (!$first_access) {
 		$status='NOT_YET_VIEWED';
 		my $due_date = &due_date($id);
-		$datemsg=&seconds_to_human_length($due_date-time);
+		my $seconds_left = $due_date - time;
+		if ($seconds_left > $interval || $due_date eq '') {
+		    $seconds_left = $interval;
+		}
+		$datemsg=&seconds_to_human_length($seconds_left);
 	    }
 	}
     }
@@ -510,8 +514,9 @@ sub due_date {
     my $due_date= &Apache::lonnet::EXT("resource.$part_id.duedate",$symb,
 				       $udom,$uname);
     &Apache::lonxml::debug("looking for due_date $part_id $symb $due_date");
-    if (defined($interval)) {
+    if ($interval =~ /\d+/) {
 	my $first_access=&Apache::lonnet::get_first_access('map',$symb);
+	&Apache::lonxml::debug("looking for first_access $first_access");
 	if (defined($first_access)) {
 	    $interval = $first_access+$interval;
 	    $date = ($interval < $due_date)? $interval : $due_date;