That error usually indicates registry corruption. The article shown here:
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ProbsOpeningWord.htm
shows how to check for a corrupt registry key. Note that the article hasn't
been updated for Word 2007, but the steps are similar to those used for
earlier versions.
I would first try starting word using the /a switch, and see if that "fixes"
the problem. If it does, but the problem returns when /a is removed, then
look into renaming or deleting Word 2007's data key in the registry.

Signature
Herb Tyson MS MVP
http://www.herbtyson.com
Author of the Word 2007 Bible
Please respond in the newsgroups so everyone can follow along.
> When I try create a new Word 2007 file (New, Blank Document, Create) I get
> the following error:
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Thanks.
Max4 - 26 Feb 2007 23:45 GMT
Herb,
Thanks for the suggestions. I ran through the instructions and deleted the
registry key. When I open Word after deleting the key, I get the same error
message, specifically for the file name "buildingblocks.dotx", which I assume
is like the normal.dot template from older Word versions. I do not get the
error message when I re-launch Word after that to a blank new document.
However, if I open an existing Word file it gives me the error again.
The error pops up when I open a .docx file I created as well as .doc files
emailed to me.
So, no luck with /a switch or deleting the registry key.
Thanks again for the suggestion,
Max
> That error usually indicates registry corruption. The article shown here:
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> >
> > Thanks.
Jay Freedman - 27 Feb 2007 00:15 GMT
Hi Max,
Lots of people have been having trouble with corrupted copies of
Building Blocks.dotx. Try deleting it and letting Word rebuild it. See
"Fixing Building Blocks" at http://pschmid.net/blog/2006/11/13/80 for
details of where to find it.
--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the
newsgroup so all may benefit.
>Herb,
>
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
>> >
>> > Thanks.
Max4 - 27 Feb 2007 17:33 GMT
Thanks for the idea, Jay. I do not get the original error with
Buildingblocks.dotx anymore, after following your instructions. However I do
still get it with any existing Word documents.
Thanks for the ideas. At some point I'll get my "express" Vista upgrade and
Office will get re-installed anyway, which may be what is required.
Max
Herb Tyson [MVP] - 28 Feb 2007 01:23 GMT
Is the retail version of Office 2007 the only version you've used? You
didn't mention having had the beta installed, so that possibility didn't
occur to me. If you did have one of the betas installed, try deleting or
renaming normal.dotm as well as any existing normal.dot files still hanging
about in the templates folder (maybe even if you didn't have a beta
installed). Normal.dotm, not buildingblocks.dotx, is the replacement for
Normal.dot. If you don't have a normal.dotm, then Word 2007 will use an
existing Normal.dot when you first open Word. So, if the problem was caused
by a corrupt normal.dot, then you'll need to rename or delete both it and
the new normal.dotm.

Signature
Herb Tyson MS MVP
http://www.herbtyson.com
Author of the Word 2007 Bible
Please respond in the newsgroups so everyone can follow along.
> Thanks for the idea, Jay. I do not get the original error with
> Buildingblocks.dotx anymore, after following your instructions. However I
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Max