outlook 2003 is my default client email - email links to not open on the web

I have xp pro SP1, when I click on a link on a web page , my microsoft
outlook 2003 doen't open my default mail client and place the link in
the TO: block, whever I click on a link, I get the following message:
The Default Email Client is not installed"

I tried from : start - run - mailto: (enter) got the same error

I tried from winword, type in , selected the
link, got the same error

I looked at support.microsfot.com and saw you go to:
tool\programs\microsoft office as the default email client..

Any ideas will be apprecaite, does anyone know of a registry fix for
this?
But, please any ideas will be appreciated.

Also, when I have the interent launched (open) and select Hotmail as my
default email client I get the error, but if I close the browser, then
select hotmail as the default and run mailto: the default email program
opens to microsoft outlook 2003...