I have some .doc files directly on my desktop. Used to be able to double click and open them in Word, but recently the result was a series of 4 dialog boxes complaining that XP can't find the file. After clicking OK to each box, Word comes up and file is opened.
Now this STRANGE behavior has spread to trying to open files from Word.

I presume that some search path is messed up. Any suggestions?
This simply means the shortcuts themselves have been corrupted...right clik each file and select Properties.
This will show the correct path to the files LOCATION.
Then simply find the file in Explorer and right clik it to CREATE a new shortcut. Then drag it to the Desktop after DELETING the funky ones...C:\Documents and Settings\myusername\Desktop

This is the file location from properties for .doc file on desktop. Note that it is NOT a shortcup to the file that resides on desktop, but the actual file itself.

I don't have Word right now, but I believe there is an option under Tools:
Ignore other applications
Make sure, it's unchecked.I'm using Office 97, but I did look under Options and found a tab for File Locations with an entry called "USER options" and blank path location. I put desktop location in and the problem went away.

Thanks
Nice job
One more thing to remember.