Never mind, I found the answer (which is to say, there isn't really one).
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;171068
I just got a new computer (Compaq R4000, Athlon 3500 CPU, XP Pro) and installed my old version of Office 97 on it. Mostly it seems to be okay (no problems installing like other people have had), but whenever I move the cursor or type in Word the processor usage (as shown under winword.exe in Task Manager) goes up to 99%. Stop and it immediately drops back down to zero. This might not be so bad except that it means the processor fan turns on for two seconds, stops for two seconds, then comes on again. In any event, something is clearly not right. Anyone have any ideas?

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