Turning off the "automatically update podcasts" option seems to have done the trick. I leave iTunes open all night, and in the morning I have freshly downloaded podcasts (if, of course, any are scheduled for that night) without the download hit on my isp. thank you all for bearing with me during this frustrating time - I really appreciate all the help you've given me. -becca -------------------------------------------- "There is no greater hatred in the world than the hatred of ignorance for knowledge." -Galileo