hidden variable values

I have several forms that a user fills out. If the fields are incorrect, it shows them all the fields that are wrong with the same info they typed. Now, I use dummy variables that hold the values the user typed in. When the user hits *continue*, the form gets processed. Before doing so, I get all the values. If anything is wrong, it displays the page again with the dummy values there and everything. What I want to do is get rid of the dummy variables and just use the hidden variables that I have (I use them to hold the values of the fields through a couple of forms because they go in a db). I have the hidden variables declared in the forms page like this: <input type=hidden name='fname' value='<?php echo $f_name;?>'> The thing is, when I changed the value of the fields to be the hidden values, I get no old values, just blank forms. It works for the dummy variables though. Plus the values are in the hidden fields after I hit continue, like this: <input type=hidden name='fname' value='dsf'> <input type=hidden name='lname' value='dfds'> I would like to get rid of those dummy variables, so can someone see whats wrong with this? Thank you. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15 Free! http://photos.yahoo.com/