I have a image i want to use as a background image. I need to know how to
select an area of the image and make it a button. I'm sorry about how noobish
the question is but i have been looking for the answer for about an hour. I'm
using mx2004

Just make a new button symbol with nothing in it except for a rectangle in the
HIT area. Then place this button on the stage and position it over top of the
area that you want to act as a button. You can use the info properties box to
resize and reposition the button. It will be an invisible button, and you can
then program it with actionscript.