There's also a problem with .doc files - Vista doesn't like them,
This is not exactly a Vista proglem. It's an Office problem, although the two do sort of go together.
All Microsoft Office programs have been converted to new file formats. The new "document" has file suffix .docx, templates are .dotx, but if a template includes a macro it's a .docm, etc. Similar "different" formats are used with new Excel, Project, etc.
If you have a new Office set that came with Vista, you may still need to visit the Microsoft Office Update site and get the export filters to convert .docx files to .doc that older programs can use. The new programs should automatically import .doc and will attempt to convert them to .docx when you save. If you're using an older Office version on Vista, you will need the import filters that are available, also from Office Update, that allow older versions to import the new .docx files.
You may be able to get the filters needed at Microsoft Update by choosing the "Custom Install" and looking through the "Optional Updates" that don't install automatically, although going directly to the applicable Office Update site is likely to get a better explanation of what you're getting.