Can't use scenario tutorials

Hi

I'm on Simcity 3000 UK, but I imagine this isn't specific to that version.
Using Windows XP, by the way.

When I open the scenario tutorials, I get the popup dialogs telling me what
to do, and I'm supposed to be able to move the dialog out of the way, and
then operate the game controls to do what it says.

But the game controls don't respond to a mouse click - they're disabled in
the background until I close the popup dialog. And then the scenario moves
on to the next dialog, and I don't get a chance to do what it said.

How do I operate the game while the "advisors" are still on-screen?

Hope someone can help! Thanks,

Martin Taylor