My new computer has Microsoft VISTA. When I open the giraffe file, I either get the giraffe without the graph stage or just a white box without the giraffe. How can this be fixed?

Ca you post screen grabs?

I don't have Vista, but I think other people had luck by right-clicking on the AM program shortcut icon and choosing "compatibility mode" ... somewhere.
Turning Off Aero has also help some people I think.

In the program properties , You should set "disable desktop composition" to on

I will gie this a try, thanks

I am not able to sign into either version 12 or 15.

go to c:\program files\hash inc\v15.0\ and find master.exe [right click] properties go to the compatibility tab and check Disable Visual Themes and Disable Desktop Composition and that will help.

but the white box is most likely due to video ram.

Open A:M go to Tools > Options > Global Tap and change your real time drivers to direct 3d

Thankyou VERY much.
First I tried the Open GL to Direct X and that did it. (still dont understand any of this but learning more everyday)
In Maya i only made still pics. So this is my first animation program where it's not too overwhelming to begin in.
Feels more comfortable diving in now i have a transparent bounding box. You Rock!
Michael