--- loncom/interface/lonmenu.pm	2017/12/18 23:20:48	1.484
+++ loncom/interface/lonmenu.pm	2017/12/22 02:00:46	1.485
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # Routines to control the menu
 #
-# $Id: lonmenu.pm,v 1.484 2017/12/18 23:20:48 raeburn Exp $
+# $Id: lonmenu.pm,v 1.485 2017/12/22 02:00:46 raeburn Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -2714,11 +2714,19 @@ sub countdown_timer {
         my $now = time;
         if ($env{'request.filename'} =~ /\.task$/) {
             $type = 'Task';
+        } elsif ($env{'request.symb'} =~ /ext\.tool$/) {
+            $type = 'tool';
         } else {
             $type = 'problem';
         }
-        my ($status,$accessmsg,$slot_name,$slot) =
-            &Apache::lonhomework::check_slot_access('0',$type);
+        my ($status,$accessmsg,$slot_name,$slot);
+        if ($type eq 'tool') {
+            ($status,$accessmsg,$slot_name,$slot) =
+                &Apache::lonhomework::check_slot_access('0',$type,$env{'request.symb'},['0']);
+        } else {
+            ($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) &&