Since using winword.exe /a opens Word, I suspect you most likely have a
damaged normal.dot template, or possibly a damaged Word data key. Yes,
you most definitely have a normal.dot template... use Windows Explorer
or My Computer to search for it (be sure to include hidden and system
files and folders in the search options). The default location for this
file is C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application
Data\Microsoft\Templates, although it may be different in your case
depending on what options you chose when you installed Office.
Word 2000 is version 9.0 If you have a 12.0 folder, then that tells me
you've been dabbling with Office 2007.