A vanilla GeForce 6800. update: I have uninstalled every trace of Maya from my system and the registry (all alias/maya keys). I reinstalled the PLE and without changing anything, opened my file. Same thing. It's only in the specular highlight that I see this. If I attach an all-black TGA to the specular color channel, then , this banding doesn't occur. I'm ready to give up and wait till I can build my new system in August (or so my Wife says). Thanks, PG