I'm new to Flash but I got a pretty good start...

I haven't gotten my book yet and I want to get a jump on my first assignment. I did the drawing and figured out how to do the character animation... but I cant preview it useing -Control >test movie/test scene. I just get a white window.
I also need to figure out how to do a scrolling bg... like clouds or falling hearts.

It will be a while before I get my book by 'snail mail' lol... so I really need help asap!

Thanks!!

OH, also... when I export it... i get an error on every player I try to play it on :(