Properties & Variables not showing in debugger

Question

I have flash mx and the debugger will not show any data for
the Properties, Variables, Locals, or Watch tabs. I've selected
everything on the object panel above it and nothing shows (yes, I
know what scope is). I've set break point at various places in the
action script. I've single clicked, double clicked, drag-n-dropped,
highlighted, tried scripts in the samples folder, upgraded to MX
7.2, downgraded back to MX 7.01, reinstalled and still no progress.
I simply cannot view the variables or properties.. not even on
_level0 or _global. I also cannot set watch variables.
I tried debugging a new document with 1 frame, 1 default
layer, and an empty stage with this action script on the first
frame.
var test_str = String("test 1");
var test_str2 = "test 2";
trace(test_str);
trace(test_str2);
for (i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
trace(i);
I'm just getting extremely frustrated with this as I cannot
use the debugger to figure out a code problem. I've used many
debuggers before with a number of languages: C/C++, VB, Java from
Sun and MS, Javascript, Perl so I am NOT a newbie at this.
What am I doing wrong? Is there a known bug or am I not
setting some obscure parameter?

Answer 1

is the 'Call Stack' area covering up your properties +
variables(if it is drag this area down - move your pointer just
above the words 'call stack' until it turns into a double arrow and
drag down)
Man. That was it. UGH.
I'm not a GUI type of developer so I assumed the call stack
was the variable panel. UGH. Now I feel stupid. However, in my
defense, there's no obvious visual resizing handle on the panel
edge. You can only tell if you mouse over and see the cursor
change.