grid lock--basic lights placement

almost a mayday!
gettting totally frustrated at this point--reade 3 books ssdpent over 2 ours on computer but have very basic problem with spotlight placement--a newbee to maya but tons of exp with other 3d graphic programs--i am doing something basically wrong.

simple seen of a plane blin surface fractal material--shows up in ipr

create spotlight--non interactive--intensity 5, 45 degree cone and panumbra 50, color green

i know light is placed facing backwall so it has to be pointed at the surface--i select light press letter t and manipulate the position of the eyepoint ( i assume this is where the light will light up)--plane and light is selected ipr shows nada--played with positioning light close to plane to no avail--any pointers /url's would be helpful--doing maya tutorial in manaual to no avail--any pointers appreciate

thanks
peter