How can I disable 'max_connect_errors'?

[Daevid Vincent]

Is there a way to disable this 'max_connect_errors' thing? 
http://www.mysql.com/doc/en/Blocked_host.html

Tried "max_connect_errors=0" but then it shows up as "max_connect_errors=1"

What is the 'max' that this value can be in case?
We have it set to 10,000 now, but that only buys us time.

When is this counter reset? 
Is it ongoing until a "FLUSH HOSTS"? 
Is it until mysql is restarted? 
Is it something else?

Daevid Vincent.