Outlook 2003 Mail Merge - dead buttons

When I run the mail merge from Outlook, after I go through the merge dialog
box (specifying the contacts, document file, data file, merge options, etc.)
and I get to the point where I want to click on the appropriate buttons of
the Mail Merge Toolbar, all the buttons are unresponsive. None of the
buttons on any of the toolbars work, even the black X on the upper right
corner that closes the open document. The buttons are not grayed out but
the only button on Word that responds is the red X at the top right corner
that closes Word.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the entire Office 2003 suite and run all
the Microsoft updates needed to apply the service packs and security updates
to make the product current.

Is there a fix for this annoying problem? BTW, if I leave Outlook open, and
repeat the Mail Merge, the buttons on Word work. Grrrr!