Problems with microsoft word(2003)?

I have have microsoft word and it has been working perfectly since i got it but today i just tried typing some stuff in and then saved it with no problem but the real problems comes in when i try to close MS. when i try to close it it says something like "the file normal already exists do you want to replace the existing file" then no matter what option i pick it takes me to this dialog box that makes me save a file called normal and the saved type is supposed to be a template i cant fix this. i have no idea what its trying to tell me but no matter what i do everytime i try to exit all these windows that pop up after it i try to open up my saved file again but it says something like "file(name of the file) is not available" my sister was the last person to use it but she says she did nothing wrong which is a total lie i can tell. Can anyone tell me what is the problem and how to fix it please i need a useful answer ASAP

Problems with microsoft word(2003)?microsoft live

normal.dot is your personal settings. Like toolbar layout and such.

close word

search for normal.dot

delete it and you should be able to start word OK

Problems with microsoft word(2003)?microsoft internet explorer internet explorer

Use OpenOffice
just reinstall it...
Let's do it. The symptoms are normal for me. First, enter the file and add a character (no matter which) then "SAVE". Second, being in U'r file "SAVE AS..." and give a new name and work on it. The fault is not on MS Word Application but on the operator. Third, but it's ugly, copy the file as it is in another location, change it's name, then copy in the previous location and work on it. It's ugly. Don't think U'r sister is guilty. U need more experience and patience. Luck!