trouble converting files

I am running Vista and have Microsoft word.I am receiving an e-mail which has a .doc file.I can't seem to get anything to open this file.Does anyone have a conversion file or is there a way i can open this file?

 

What version of Word do you have? What is the file extension on that Word file in the email? If it's .docx, which is a Word 2007 file, you won't be able to open it with earlier versions of Word. However, there are fairly easy solutions, if this is your problem.

 

I am so sorry I am computer illiterate.I have Microsoft Works and all the e-mail says is .doc.Hope this info helps.

 

OK, so you have Microsoft Works, not Microsoft Word. I can suggest several solutions:
1) Download/install Word Viewer. Several versions are available; 2003 should be fine.
2) Download/install AbiWord 2.6.6. It can recognize .doc files.
3) Download/install OpenOffice.org, which is full office suite (word processing, spreadsheet, etc.); this is a 128MB download.

 

Thank You very much for your help i'll try that.