While this article was originally for Word 2002 you may find it also applies with Word 2003.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/303507/en-us?FR=1
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"Showme80" wrote in message ...
Fresh install of Word 2003. When typing in any document, typing any character
turns the entire line black. Black line on black text makes it unreadable.
Enter key makes the next line black also etc.
Double clicking anywhere on the page clears the black areas but typing any
character again turns the entire line black, etc.
A very temporary work around has been to put in a white background which
turns the typing area gray (black margins).
The black area does not appear when the page is printed, but it makes
proofing very hard.
--
Bob Buckland ?:-)
MS Office System Products MVP
*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*