• revert your system to the state it was in before the problems started, using System Restore, then uninstall the unwanted features via Add/Remove Programs;

I do recall that I had the spell checker working, but I do not know when the Office Tools disappeared and so I cannot revert to the desired state; it must have been a while ago, as I have not been using the speller. But it's a surprise because I do not recall doing anything that could have caused that.

• uninstall Office via Add/Remove Programs, then reinstall only those features you want;

Both the Add/Remove facilities of the installed Office and the CD refuse to uninstall, reinstall or ad the feature

• uninstall Office via http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q219423/, then reinstall only those features you want;

"This article applies to a different version of Windows than the one you are using. Content in this article may not be relevant to you. Visit the Windows Server Solution Center"

• uninstall Office via an app like Revo Uninstaller, then reinstall only those features you want;

This is an interesting idea, but as far as I know, Revo uses the CP Add/Romove and if that works, will clean leftovers; since that that does not work...
• do a complete system refresh, which means reinstalling everything;

Can;t afford that. Too much hassle.

• live with it.

That's probably what I will do. I installed OpenOffice and it does check spelling in .DOC files. So I will use it when I'm done with writing as a guide to correct in Word.

I found several manual methods to clean up Office, but they're iffy. If I even get the time and inclination I may try them.

Thanks again for all your help.