Navti, I've read through most of the discussion, skipping over the
bits where Charlie and Wilbur, etc. slag at each other. The advice
from Larry and Dave seems sound to me. If you want a good resource on
batteries for further info look at this:
http://www.batteryfaq.org/
last updated May 21, 2007. It sounds like they're pretty much toast
to me though. Sorry.