[RESOLVED] Insert rowid -- many rows ahed of sequence

[BEFOR]

I have a file that inserts a new row, and along with the insert, performs a file upload while recording the name of the file within the row.

Now, after a server move, ( and many "failed" inserts while debugging -- resulting in no change of script but merely changing folder permission settings) the inserts on the table have jumped ahead from approx. row id 175 to ...299, 300, 301 as they should in sequence, but hainv many empty rows.

How can I eliminate the leap? Deleting the rows and starting back at 176?

What could cause this?

[Houdini]

ALTER TABLE tbl AUTO_INCREMENT = 176;

[BEFOR]

-thanks Houdini.