i will certainly try this....the new caps and crystals are on the next digikey order, thanks!
also on the list:
ceramic oscillator(s)...ive read things about these vs the crystals that may be worth the $2 to put a few in the box and investigate
ATMEGA644P-20PU-ND....what the heck, the $8 is worth my curiosity...would i use the same X1103-ND crystal for the 644P as well?
btw, why do both cut sheets of the two crystals you linked list a "series resistance" value? is this just a common spec to include, even for "parallel" crystals?
thanks!!