Word is freezing and also error message

I am basically computer illiterate. My operating system is Windows 95. I have not added any new programs or made any changes to my system. On its own, my computer now will not start "Word". The hour glass comes on and stays and the program never starts. What do I do?

Also, periodically (also on its own) a message appears saying "unrecognized database format C:\Program Files\Encompass\billing.mdb". What does that mean?

Thanks for any help. kathryng

 

Unrecognized database format 'C:\Program Files\Encompass\billing.mdb'.

This is the GTE ISP trial software which is preinstalled on the machine. To disable the billing reminder messages completely, you can rename the Encompass directory to Encompass1. If you receive no error messages from the system at startup or during normal use over the few days following this change, and you expect not to use this software in the future, the Encompass (renamed to Encompass1) directory can be deleted.

Regarding Word, search for and delete any file or files named "normal.dot" on the system. If word has ever run at all correctly at least one copy will exists. If its corrupt, it can freeze Word. If the file is removed Word will create a new one when it next runs.

 

Thank you, Kiwiguy. Both instructions corrected my problems. I will make a donation to this site in your honor!