Display problems with 3dMax

[HandsOn]

I've tried all the "official sites" but I guess here people know a lot more about it: I have a strange problem with 3dMax (BAT as well as the AutoDesk version 9). First off, the PC specs: 2GB RAM, nVidia GeForce 8500GT (512mb), Vista Home Premium, about 1TB free HD space on three drives, Acer flat panel 1680x1250. Everything installs fine, or so it seems, but whenever I want to follow the BATting tutorial, things go haywire with the display. I can create a spline, even extrude it. But that's it: trying to select it the viewports go blank (white), or the two of the viewports show a reduced repeat of the entire screen. Or everything disappears until I click again, at which point it reappears unchanged.
I am such a novice that I do not know how to set the display settings within 3dMax - I've tried OpenGL & DirectX10, both give me the same result:

Any and all help would be appreciated.
Thanks, folks

[callagrafx]

Try dropping your screen resolution, see what happens.

[HandsOn]

Try dropping your screen resolution, see what happens.

No difference. Was the first thing I tried. This happens with all different versions of 3dMax

[SimFox]

Max9 + Vista = NO Good

[CasperVg]

I had the same issue with the standard B.A.T, and setting by setting the compatibility to:

Code Select Expand

Compatibility: Windows XP SP 2
In 256 colours: Not checked
Resolution 640x480: Not checked
Visual themes off: Checked
Desktop composition off: Checked
Fit screen to high DPI-settings: Checked

fixed it for me. I have no idea if it will fix the problem with Max 9, but you could try.