BleepingComputer.com: The file Normal already exists. Do you want to replace the existing file?

Running XP SP3 Professional
Dell E1705

Periodically I get this message when I try to close MS Outlook: "The file Normal already exists. Do you want to replace the existing file?"
Then when I try to close it, Word opens, and it goes through a series of other steps I have to do to close Word. Otherwise, Word and
Outlook function properly.

The problem will start happening consistently for awhile, then go away. It has been happening for a couple of years at least. I have had
maybe three malware attacks during that time that I have successfully remedied using the help from this site. The most recent was a
Trojan or file that was named "Win32/Winwebsec". And, after following the procedures on this site I was able to clear that and have had
no other problems. Then a few days ago I started noticing this issue again.

Any help will be appreciated.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-hel...A001151452.aspx

I would probably assume that Office/Word is corrupt...and uninstall/reinstall Office/Word.

Louis

What version of Office?

Try renaming the normal.dot file. Maybe it is corrupt. Word will automatically recreate it

Close all Office applications
Click start - search
In the "all or part of the file name" box type normal.dot
Click "more advanced options"
Check "search hidden files and folders"
Rename normal.dot to normal.old
Open Word first to recreate the normal.dot file
Then try Outlook