Checkboxe problem

I have a form with 1 checkbox and have coded it like this: <input type=checkbox name=private> When the form is submitted, $HTTP_POST_VARS[private] only exists IF checkbox is checked. It doesn't exist otherwise, which is causing a problem because there are several other elements before and after. What happens is the value AFTER "private" is actually populating "private" if "private" is empty (not checked). I am, no doubt, missing something small, but critical here. Can someone point out the error of my ways and explain how to get the checkbox key/value pair into the post vars array when the value is not checked? TIA, -- Gaylen PHP KISGB v3.22 Guest Book http://www.gaylenandmargie.com/phpwebsite/