Program Focus Problem

On my wife, Anna's Sony laptop, running WinXP (SP1), the 'program focus'
thing is causing problems. For instance, when trying to print a document,
the print dialogue box appears but the program it was launched from - e.g.
MS Word 2002 - closes suddenly and the print dialogue box is left isolated &
frozen.

The box in the task bar is still showing (as if the application window has
been collapsed), but flashes orange continually, as if Word is trying to
'steal focus'. Clicking this does not re-open the window. (I have tried
altering this by using TweakUI, 'Prevent Application from Stealing Focus',
and even disabling it altogether, but it still happens.) To print a document
from any program Anna has to hit 'Print' (from the 'File Menu' or shortcut
button), allow the program to 'crash' and then re-launch the program & open
the document. The print function then works correctly.

Can anyone here help my poor, beleaguered wife?

Cheers,

Chris