Excel tries to install Front Page on open

Hello Experts.  I have a computer that had Microsoft Office 97.  Beginning yesterday, when I try to open Excel I get the "install popup" that says it is trying to install Front Page.  Of course the CD isn't in the drive, so it doesn't install.  After some investigation, I noticed that Add/Remove programs shows the only Office Suite installed is "Microsoft Office XP with Front Page"--which I have never installed on this machine.  I suspect a virus, but have not found it yet.  I am would like to know if I uninstall the "Office XP" if the 97 version will be there...or what will happen?  I've also contlipated doing a restore (although I don't particularly like using System Restore).  Any ideas, suggestions, and/or advice would be greatly appreciated!
VTE_TECHAsked:
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terencinoCommented:
Hi VTE_TECH, Office XP was not popular, but probably not a virus in this case. Likely when Office XP was installed, it replaced the Office 97 installation, so you will not get Office 97 back if you uninstall Office XP.

Others have had similar problems though, this thread provides a number of options that may work for you:

Error: Proplus.msi needed

I've never had success with System Restore, usually I reformat and start from scratch, but that's just me.
Hope that helps
...Terry
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VTE_TECHAuthor Commented:
Thanks Terry.  However, I am about 99% sure that Office XP was never installed.  This machine actually belongs to my father & he won't even do an update to Adobe Reader without calling me first.  Also, the event logs, or System Restore Checkpoints show no indication of an update or install.  There is always that 1% chance though.  Thanks for the suggestions!
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VTE_TECHAuthor Commented:
I noticed that the shortcut to Excel has the "Target" section greyed out...if that helps any.
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terencinoCommented:
You know, that sounds even more like the real thing...
Can you check when it was installed? That is one of the fields on the Add/Remove Programs dialog, or in Windows 7 anyway. Maybe your dad can help match the install date with visits from relatives who might have hacked his PC while he was watching the game
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VTE_TECHAuthor Commented:
Solved...Thanks for the suggestions.  I completed a Detect & repair on office and restored original shortcuts.  That seemed to fix the problem.
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