Is there a message at the bottom left corner of your Word window
that says, "This modification is not allowed because the document
is locked"?

If all new and existing documents are locked for editing, then
it's probably because you have not activated your Word/Office
software, or because you have an expired trial version of Office
2003. What happens if you start Word and click on Help |
Activate Product? If you are already activated, a dialog box
saying so will appear. If you are not activated, the Activation
Wizard will start. If you have an expired trial version, a
dialog box will prompt you to enter a valid product key or
convert your trial version to a perpetual version by purchasing a
key online.

beno wrote:

I open a word doc I cannot edit or compose. When I try to use the drop down
menus, most are greyed out and I cannot access them. What I find most
disconcerting is that I recently edited the document. HELP