--- loncom/interface/lonmenu.pm	2012/09/04 20:47:56	1.386
+++ loncom/interface/lonmenu.pm	2012/09/12 05:14:17	1.387
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # Routines to control the menu
 #
-# $Id: lonmenu.pm,v 1.386 2012/09/04 20:47:56 raeburn Exp $
+# $Id: lonmenu.pm,v 1.387 2012/09/12 05:14:17 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -1843,8 +1843,27 @@ sub required_privs {
 
 sub countdown_timer {
     if (($env{'request.course.id'}) && ($env{'request.symb'} ne '') &&
-        ($env{'request.filename'}=~/$LONCAPA::assess_re/) &&
-        ($Apache::inputtags::status[-1] eq 'CAN_ANSWER')) {
+        ($env{'request.filename'}=~/$LONCAPA::assess_re/)) {
+        my ($type,$hastimeleft,$slothastime);
+        my $now = time;
+        if ($env{'request.filename'} =~ /\.task$/) {
+            $type = 'Task';
+        } else {
+            $type = 'problem';
+        }
+        my ($status,$accessmsg,$slot_name,$slot) =
+            &Apache::lonhomework::check_slot_access('0',$type);
+        if ($slot_name ne '') {
+            if (ref($slot) eq 'HASH') {
+                if (($slot->{'starttime'} < $now) &&
+                    ($slot->{'endtime'} > $now)) {
+                    $slothastime = 1;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        if ($status ne 'CAN_ANSWER') {
+            return;
+        }
         my $duedate = &Apache::lonnet::EXT("resource.0.duedate");
         my @interval=&Apache::lonnet::EXT("resource.0.interval");
         my $hastimeleft;
@@ -1857,9 +1876,11 @@ sub countdown_timer {
             }
         }
         if (($duedate && $duedate > time) ||
-            (!$duedate && $hastimeleft)) {
+            (!$duedate && $hastimeleft) ||
+            ($slot_name ne '' && $slothastime)) {
             my ($collapse,$expand,$alttxt,$title,$currdisp);
-            if (@interval > 1 && $hastimeleft) {
+            if ((@interval > 1 && $hastimeleft) ||
+                ($type eq 'Task' && $slothastime)) {
                 $currdisp = 'inline';
                 $collapse = '&#9658;&nbsp;';
             } else {