Unable to launch Outlook 2003 in "Normal" window

I'm using Outlook 2003 and Windows 2000.
Outlook is set to load at startup and run in a "normal" window, which is
somewhat smaller than "maximized" leaving my desktop partially exposed
behind it.

When Outlook was loaded today at startup, for some reason it was "minimized"
to the task bar. I clicked on the minimized task bar button to restore the
window, without success. I hear the sound effect associated with the
opening of a program window, and an animation effect is displayed streaking
from the minimized button to the upper left corner of the desktop (similar
to the effect display when a window is minimized, but in reverse), but
Outlook remains minimized. I am able to open the window only by
right-clicking the minimized task bar button and selecting "maximize." Once
the window is maximized, clicking the "restore" button minimizes the window
to the task bar again.

I have Outlook shortcuts in my Startup folder and on the Quick Launch
toolbar. Both are set to run Outlook in a "normal" window, which is my
preference. So far, my other applications that are set to run in normal
windows all seem to be working fine. Does anyone know how I can make this
window setting work again for Outlook?

Thank you,
Torrence Hammond