hi calvin

to get the same particle pattern emitting from start when you rewind, you can go to Solvers and 'set for selected' or something like that (sorry haven't got my maya with me now)

i think alternatively you could bracket you timeline to start from frame 2. since particles are calculated from frame 1 (or 0 - not sure), this will stop it from regenerating a new set of particles.

don't know about your random question...

hope that helps

cheers
lori