Problems opening Office 97 files

I am using Office 97 on my Windows XP laptop. I can open files that I've created only if I open them once the program is open. If I try to open the file from "My Documents," I get a screen for Office 2003 (which I don't have), and it asks me for the CD code (which of course, I don't have).

This means that I can't open attachments to emails until I file them, open the program and then find them in my documents. This is true for Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

Does anyone have a fix?

thanks

Two ways to change file associations.

1.Windows Explorer/ View/ Folder Options/ File Types.

Select the file type you want to change and click the Edit button.

Select an entry from the Actions list—the default action is in bold type—and click the Edit button.

Browse to the program you want associate with that file type.
Don`t edit anything with the letters DDE

OR

2.Right click on the file/Open with/select or browse to the program you want to open it.
Check the "always open with this program" box.

More HERE

Or if that doesn't work download OpenOffice for free, it will open/create Office files.

www.openoffice.org