Pennsylvanians re-registered for the state's do-not-call list in droves yesterday, apparently trying to make sure dinner time didn't become a free-for-all for telemarketers again.

Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., nearly 4,000 people had registered for the list by phone, while almost 77,000 had signed up online, according to Nils Frederiksen, spokesman for the state Attorney General's office.

Even though the phone system had 70 operators, at times the lines were overloaded and callers got a busy signal or recording telling them to call back. The state hired a call center to handle calls to the registration hot line, 1-888-777-3406.

No problems were reported with the new enhanced Web site at www.attorneygeneral.gov, which was taking an average of 80 requests per second but was designed to handle up to 10,000 per second, Mr. Frederiksen said.

He urged people having trouble getting through on the phone to try again another day.

"You have until the 15th of September," he said. "There is no reason to panic."

Getting on the list blocks most telemarketing calls. But registration is only valid for five years, so residents who signed up when the registry was launched in the summer of 2002 will see their numbers drop off if they don't renew by Sept. 15.

Also yesterday, Attorney General Tom Corbett kicked off a public awareness campaign to remind residents of the need to re-register. He said his home phone number was on the list, and he appreciated the peace and quiet.

People who can't remember how long ago they registered can find out online at www.attorneygeneral.gov. The registry accepts cell phone numbers, but it isn't necessary to register them because federal law essentially bars telemarketing calls to wireless phones.

The Federal Trade Commission also operates a do-not-call registry, which was launched roughly a year later than Pennsylvania's. Signing up for either offers the same protections, but many get on both registries for an extra measure of protection. Mr. Frederiksen said.

"It can't hurt [to get on both], so why not," he said. "It doesn't cost you anything."

So why doesn't the state drop its do-not-call program and let the FTC handle things?

Mr. Frederiksen said it wouldn't save much money to end the state's program because it is largely paid for by telemarketers, which must spend $495 per year to buy the quarterly lists and purge the numbers off their call logs.

Pennsylvania also collects consumer complaints about telemarketers suspected of violating the do-not-call law and can prosecute repeat offenders.

To date, the state has fined 75 firms and collected $800,000 in civil penalties.

"Obviously, we are focused on [violations] in Pennsylvania," Mr. Frederiksen said. "Would all of those cases have been prosecuted by the administers of the federal list? We don't want to leave that up to chance."

A special benefit for consumers on the state's registry is the possibility of receiving a bounty of sorts.

Under state law, consumers can be paid up to $100 each if they file a complaint against a telemarketer that is successfully sued. Federal law doesn't allow consumers to share in a do-not-call settlement.

Some telemarketing calls are exempt from do-not-call laws. They include calls from charities, political groups, telephone surveyors and calls regarding an existing debt or contract. Companies with an existing business relationship with the household also are exempt from honoring the list.