>In case it is helpful... when I try to start a new THREAD in the Chatter FORUM (still getting only header with Category and Title areas), whenevr I pass the mouse over the (far right) "Message view..." 'tab' the content for the tab is displayed at the far LEFT, far from the tab itself.

Are you getting the forum, category and title fields ok? Is it only the version listboxes which are not showing?

Also, can you send me a snapshot of that screen so I can look at it?