YESS!!! it did the trick. Thanks for the tip. Looks like with every new version of Maya I need to upgrade my graphics card drivers. Funny though, because the manipulator doesn't look like a new feature that relies on the latest technology Well .. I really would like to get back to work and catch up lost time, but it all took so much time, I have to get to bed again. :| 24hrs is just not enough for a day.