After Quick Mask - can't save image

I am having NO PROBLEM creating a masked image by the use of the:
Eliptical tool >Quick Mask >Filter >Blur > Gaussion Blur then tweak up color and settigs as to the proper steps in the course.
When I get my image just the way I want it I CAN NOT "save" to any format that can be read by other picture viewers and still retain the mask.
I've spent hours and I need sleep, thx.
jcfromdv

Dont save it in PSD format then .

Way 1.) File > Save For Web > JPG / JPEG / GIF / PNG (CTRL + ALT + SHIFT + S)

way 2.) Click the little icons at the bottom of your side tool bar, this looks like the photoshop logo and the image ready logo, this will throw you into image ready then save it as a web format or standard image format.

Hope this helps!

Thx, for the suggestion but still no success.

July 23 I did the reinstall of Photoshop 7.0 since I upgraded my operating system from Win 98 to XP but no change, now I'm rereading the course to see what I come up with.
July 24 The only way I found to save a masked image is to do it up without "Quick Mask" using tools. This takes more trys and adjustments but at least it works and saves in most formats


In the meantime if anyone else can offer some solution, please post here and I would be in thx.
jcfromdv