It looks like your mesh is all one object. Try Detaching the polys you want the second texture map on to a different object, I think Max doesn't like applying normal-maps as multi/sub-object materials.
Weird. Making two different objects and applying two different normal maps (using Max's default DX Display material with Normal Bump) displays fine in my viewport. You made them two completely separate objects, yeah, rather than just detaching the polys but leaving them in the same object? And two completely separate…
i have 3 maps. legs in front, legs in back/tail, and head/torso/tail. i separated the legsback/tail as a separate object and it worked fine. the head/torso is still not working. where is this "show map in viewport" button? thanks for your help again MOP. i'm sooooooo close!!! just one more map!!!!!!
Heh, I thought you just had two - I just tried a test scene again with 3 objects and 3 different normal-maps - it still displays fine, so I don't think the problem lies there... The "Show Map In Viewport" button is just in the row of buttons below the material preview spheres in the Material Editor, it's normally a blue…