L1 time limit & L1 to H1

[vkhitched]

Hi,
I was in the US from 2000 to 2004 on an L1B visa, and now I'm in India.I did get an extension on the visa till mid 2005 but I didnt use it. Thus I have been out of the US since Dec 2004.Here're my questions:
1.Technically 5 years are up as of mid 2005. Can I/my company apply for a new L visa? I'm guessing no. please confirm.
2.More importantly, all the sites (including travel.state.gov) say that L1A can be extended again for another 7 years, but doesnt say the same for L1b. What is the status of L1b wrt extension? Can I stay out of the country for a year, and go back for another 5 year stint?
3. If answer to qn.2 is no, can I go back in a H1B (in 2007, for eg) and stay for a fresh stint?
4. Or if I went in 2007 on an H1B would I still be only able to stay for a year or two?

Thanks for any/all answers.
v

[Nishant]

If you are out of US for 365 days or more, H/L visa clock is reset and you can get fresh visa. Additional 6 years for H, 5 years for L1B and 7 years for L1A