Problem with MS Word 2003

[erndog105]

I recently encountered a problem with Word that is preventing me from using word or MS Outlook. I think it is related to a corrupt word file or template. IF I go to OUtlook, when I try and open or forward an e-mail, I get a notice that "MS office has encountered a problem and needs to close and do I want to recover my work and restart word." From then on, I get in an endless loop of error msg, do I want to send a error report, back and forth and I can not even close Outlook or word (that automatically gets open) without much effort. I wanted to delete and re-install word but it seems I have to delete all of office and I would like to keep my old e-mails.
Question, Can this be fixed easily, is there anyway to back up my e-mails externally so if I do have to delete and re-load MS office I can get the e-mails back into outlook? Can I delete and re-install word only?
Hope I have explained the problem well enough. The first time I encountered the problem, I did log off and back on and had to enter in safe mode to get going after a big funny screen I have never seen before.
Thanks for your help here.

 

[terii]

Your email files account info etc are stored in a .pst file. Even if you uninstalled Outlook the .pst file would remaim. I would play it safe and copy this file to another point. A CD perhaps. The .pst file is located at c:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook.

Instead of removing Outlook and Word I would simply reinstall them over the existing files. Insert your Office CD and do a Custom install.