I figured the problem, and it's a VISTA related issue that's easily worked around. It seems that VISTA does not like changes made in any program in it's "Programs" folder, which naturally EQ is in. The work-around is to create a sub-folder someplace else, unzip the map file into THAT folder, then cut-paste the contents into your map folder. When VISTA asks if you're sure you want to do that/grant "administration" access hit the <yes> button.
VOILA! I did that and lo and behold, when I got into my EQ Game all the maps were up and loaded!