problems with 3-D orbit

I'm working in AutoCAD 2006.

I have a certain drawing that  has a problem with 3-D orbit. Usually when I use 3-D orbit, a green circle appears with grips, and I can orbit the drawing without AutoCAD trying to render it in 3-D.

Now when I try to do this, I am not seeing the green circle, and my UCS icon changes into a rendering mode. the drawing instantly goes into 3-D shademode and the orbit capabilities are very strange. I cannot quickly rotate and zoom in on my project.

I have tried to set the overall shade mode variable to 2d.  it will switch back on its own as described above  (poorly)

I have tried to switch back to 2-D wireframe by right clicking the shortcut menu. After issuing the 3-D orbit command. This seems to not have any affect.

I have tried to experiment with all the settings on that quick right-click command, and they seem to not have an effect either.

Could you please help me?

Thanks.

Chris

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