Internet surfers soon will be able to watch the spectacular Old Faithful geyser live without leaving the comfort of home, the nearest cyber-cafe or wherever there is a wireless signal.

But not until technicians figure out how to keep the new camera unit from freezing.

Currently, Yellowstone has had three Web cameras - at Mammoth Hot Springs, Mount Washburn and Old Faithful - providing snapshot images every 30 seconds or so.

"We've been in beta-test mode for some time," said Al Nash, the spokesman for Yellowstone National Park. The unit has been freezing up as winter descends upon the Yellowstone Plateau and Old Faithful Basin.

Nash noted that outdoor temperatures at Yellowstone can swing widely from the heat of an August afternoon to bitter cold temperatures in winter. The rollout of the streaming video will be delayed until technicians can figure out how to keep it running during all sorts of weather.

Indeed, Yellowstone Superintendent Suzanne Lewis issued a memo last week, noting that ice has been obscuring the camera's view, and remote-control software is being tested.

Nash said the new camera will be able to cover much of the Old Faithful Basin, to zero in on other geyser activity as it occurs.

All of the Yellowstone Web equipment has been donated by the corporate manufacturers, Stardot Technologies, CoolWorks and Canon USA.