having trouble w note values in staff view

I am trying to put some notes in staff view. In 4/4 time I am trying to start out with an 8th note then a quarter note then another 8th note and then 2 quarter notes. When I put in the first note it gives me a quarter note. I have selected an 8th note from the drop down list 11 or 12 icons in on the upper part of the staff view and also 18 or 19 icons in where it shows a whole note though a 32 note. the first note I put in gives me a quarter note, sometimes if I put in a note immediately after it will attach it to the previous notes making it two 8ths. I get the impression there is some sort of default involving this but can't figure out what it is. I tried changing the duration to half of what it was but it didn't effect the value of the note. Is there anyone that is familiar with staff view that could help? If I could change it outside in another view and it would effect what I see in staff view that would be fine too.

Thanks,

Pam

I only use the staff view to program midi (never learned the piano, but I played the trumpet for four years, so I can read sheet music). As far as I can tell from what I've done, the quarter note is just apparently a quarter note, it will play as an eighth or whatever note you set. However, if this bothers you, try clicking the Fill Durations button (8 buttons in, or just push [F]). This should fix your problem.