"find" is permenantly highlighted in the standard bar

[palamino]

When I open Outlook the "find" is orange and I can't reply to email and if I
do click on "reply" then Outlook hangs. I can do pretty much anything else. I
don't know what else to try. I have scanned for viruses. I have used the
restore point back to when I did not have this problem. I have used my office
2003 disk to repair. (I am a bit wary about a complete new install because I
don't want to loose folders and previous email.)
PS why did my earlier post get removed. I know I saw it. But when I returned
I can't seem to find it. Even when I used the key word "find". Did I do
something wrong?
Thank you.

 

[VanguardLH]

When I open Outlook the "find" is orange and I can't reply to email and if I
do click on "reply" then Outlook hangs. I can do pretty much anything else.

Click on the "X" close button at the right end of the Find toolbar. Or
click on the Find toolbar button to toggle the state of that toolbar (to
display or hide it).