"The file Normal.dot already exists" Word 2003 issues

Here is the scenario:

When closing Word 2003, a msg pops up: "The file Normal.dot already exists.  Do you want to replace the existing file?"  If I choose Yes, it closes.  If I choose No, it prompts me to save.  When I cancel, it goes back to the blank document screen.  If I click close again..."Changes have been made that affect the global template, Normal.dot.  Do you want to save those changes?"  Word closes if I choose Yes or No.

When I try to open a previously saved file, "The file Doc2.doc is not available"  (doc2.doc is the test file I used), then it loops back to the aforementioned issues.

I searched the previously asked questions and found one titled "Normal Template MSWord2000" but I don't think that one was ever completely resolved.  This computer is running XP Home with all critical updates as of 2/21/04, Office Pro 2003 with all updates as of 2/21/04 and Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition 8.1 with definitions of 2/19.04.  Troubleshooting:

Started in safe mode and scanned for viruses.  Welchia.b worm was on it; quarantined and deleted.  I ran the latest Welchia removal tool from Symantec's web site; service was removed and Welchia was not found again. Ran a repair on Office, no change; a complete reinstall of Office with all options selected, no change; uninstalled printers; searched all files and folders (hidden too) and renamed the only normal.dot file I found to oldnormal.dot

Renamed registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Word\Data
Renamed Data to Data1

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Word\Options
Renamed Options to Options1.

stamps.com postage is not installed;  
MS Works is not installed;
Prompt to save Normal template option under Tools, Options, Save tab is deselected;
I've tried all levels of macro security;
Nothing is checked under Templates and Add-ins, Templates tab;
tried http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;820917;
did a complete Office 2003 install, with *everything* running from the computer.  When I tried the support template that Microsoft recommends, I got the error msg:

"The file SUPPORT.DOT is not available", even though I can see the file where Microsoft says it should be: c:\program files\microsoft office\office11\macros.

So now I'm doing something that I don't like to do... ask for help.  I have 325 points and I'm going to use 250 of them on this problem.  I am a newbie here, but I'm fairly computer literate.  I'll appreciate any advice regarding any steps that I may have done out of turn or if there is something you see that I haven't tried.  

Thank you in advance,

Eric