problem resolved:

here is how i got the issue resolve. in my application, i had code that
positioned some checkboxes on various pages of the multipage control. for
some reason, after upgrading to 2003, the code also read the option buttons
as checkboxes - i.e. -
loop through all controls
if TypeOf ctl Is MsForms.CheckBox Then
set ctl.top = 100
end

for some reason, the code is also including option buttons thus:

loop through all controls
if TypeOf ctl Is MsForms.OptionButton Then
'do nothing
else if TypeOf ctl Is MsForms.CheckBox Then
set ctl.top = 100
end