green card question to mohan and others who are knowledgeable

hello i am an indian who returned from u.s. in 1997
i have a green card and it expires on 2006
now i went twice since to the u.s to "renew the greencard"
and last i went is 2000
since then i have not gone
now i want to go for higher studies(MS) in 2004
there is a rule that if u stay outside the u.s for more than two years it becomes invalid
so what do i do
can i apply for a student visa and go to the u.s
and then activate my greencard through a lawyer
will theis be possible
pls reply friends

hello i am an indian who returned from u.s. in 1997
i have a green card and it expires on 2006
now i went twice since to the u.s to "renew the greencard"
and last i went is 2000
since then i have not gone
now i want to go for higher studies(MS) in 2004
there is a rule that if u stay outside the u.s for more than two years it becomes invalid
so what do i do
can i apply for a student visa and go to the u.s
and then activate my greencard through a lawyer
will theis be possible
pls reply friends

Your status of LPR appears to be no longer valid, despite the "validity"of plastic card. If you are still interested in becoming LPR, you'll have to start the application process from scratch.

Green card holder can stay out of USA only for six monthe without permission and upto two years with permission or the period granted by the INS. IF the alien fails to return within time granted, GC will be cancelled and the alien has to apply again.
In your case, you have to initiallized the process. You can apply for Student Visa but have to mention the previous status in the application.