Any chance you have the newer version of word on the laptop (Word 2007)? If so, the default formats are actually saved as an xml based document (even if the .doc or .wps looks old skool Word - it is actually .docx).

Either go back to your laptop and save as Word 93-2007 document (.doc) or if you can't do that, you can go here linkie one or here linkie two for tools to open the file on your XP machine.

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1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife