Does this happen with every Excel document you try, or just the one you want
to use as a data source?

If it is a problem with every Excel document, I suspect you need to check
and repair your Office 2003 installation and/or check/reinstall the data
access software (MDAC). If it's actually a new HP computer under warranty it
might be better to go via their support.

Or, as a workaround, you could try changing the way you connect to the Excel
document - check Word Tools|Options|General|"Confirm conversion at open", go
through data source selection again, and choose either ODBC or DDE when
offered.

If it is just a problem in the one Excel document, I suggest you try copying
the content (if possible) to a brand new sheet and see if that fixes the
problem.

Peter Jamieson