bad Starter?

[Lunatic Soup]

Hows it goin? I Made a 2L starter with a smack pack of 1272 last night, same as always. No noticeable action and the yeast cake is now a brownish color, though it does seem to be thicker than when pitched. Pitched it at about 78F, and have been giving it a stir very time i walk by it. Any thoughts?
Thanks.

[ajdelange]

Did the pack swell after you smacked it? If so then the yeast were viable. Did you oxygenate the starter?

[brewinhard]

When you swirl the container do you see any evidence of gas evolution (ie foaming, rising bubbles, etc)? If so, then your starter is working.

[Lunatic Soup]

It swelled a bit, not much though, no pressure in the pack. Aerated by shaking, and really haven't seen any bubbling at all. When I stir it there's a bit on top but it goes away quickly.