Word 2003 Spell check problem in a form

Someone brought me a Word 2003 Form that has been protected and locked where they want to make changes and no one has the password. Not interested in cracking the password. I usually just copy entire form to a new form and make changes there.

But when I do, and then turn protection back on (w/Out password - - they drive me nuts) the form entry fields are not spell check-able.  Whereas on the original form the fields are.  

I can unprotect the form and spell check works on text in the form.  But when I protect the form and enter text the entry fields will not spell check.

keep in mind I copied the entire form to a new form, so all form properties are the same. but why does Spell check not work? All spell check options are enabled and the fields in questions are regular text fields.  What's so special about the form I cannot get into because of the silly password?

I don't work with Word forms at all normally.  What am I missing?

BTW, Please I don't want other third party spell check options or need to hear how poor Word is in spell check or suggestions to upgrade word.  

Thanks!