Homesick,
Is the file you have been sent Word 2007, ie: .docx as a file extension? The earlier versions of Word need a helping hand from
HERE.
If you have W2007 it is a different snag. Can you open it in IE?
Right click the Word File icon, then choose "Open With", and choose IE from the list.
Launch IE, then at the File Menu, choose "Open" and browse to the Word File. You can also try Firefox the same way
Make sure font colour in Word not set to white!
Open the document and try Print Preview.
Let us know how you get on.