I have been hunting all over the net for a fix to this problem, it seems to be really common but no one ever provides a solution, there are a million open-ended threads with no answer!

My MANIPULATOR TOOL is not visible

I am trying to extrude a very basic polygon face, the show manipulator tool button highlights but the tool does not appear.

It isn't scaled incorrectly - I've tried pressing + / - indefinitely also have re-set the global scale settings. They are definitely switched on in the channels>settings area.

I've only just installed maya - this is my second ever scene and my first use of the tool. That coupled with the fact that this seems to be a common issue, I'm finding it hard to believe re-installing the software will help.

Some people have suggested it's a graphics card problem but I don't know anything about this kind of thing or even what card I have!

I'm using Maya version 8.0 on a mac G4.

Incidentally when I view the tool settings I get a blank window - I've tried edit>reset settings but there are no buttons or sliders in there to change (could I have a missing component in the software?)

pleeeeeeeeeeease help me, I feel like I might as well give up without this tool
:headbang: