PS7 gradient anomaly

I wonder if anyone can help me here? I was working on some icons using gradients earlier today and for some reason each time I used the eyedropper tool (I'm using PS7) to pick colours from the image they would miraculously appear in the gradient box so I didn't need to create the gradient separately with the editor. Wonderful I thought... this is the first time that I have been aware of this happening. But just now, having been to work and come back and switched on again, when I do the same thing with the eyedropper tool, this little miracle with the gradient box isn't happening any more :(

Is there something I accidentally switched on earlier without knowing that I have now switched off again without knowing too? Does any of what I'm saying make any sense? lol..

Any hints much appreciated - honestly!

ETA: problem solved, thanks to yubsie