Spellcheck error

I've got a Dell 8100 desktop and an Inspiron 600m notebook, both using XP Pro SP-2, IE, and Outlook Express. The notebook's spellcheck doesn't work; a not too uncommon problem from what I've researched. I've made sure "CSAPI3T1.DLL" is not missing from the "Proof" folder, and checked the Registry to make sure I'm not missing the backslash\ on the "Microsoft Shared/Tools" entry. All that's OK, and Outlook Express "Options/Tools/Spelling"  is checked for checking spelling before sending.  The notebook is only a few months old, but since it's not my primary computer, I never noticed if spellcheck ever worked, but I'll assume it did. It came with Corel Word Perfect (I assume this performed the spellcheck) installed. I've installed my beloved Office '97, if this makes a difference (I've uninstalled & re-installed each without the other). What I suspect, and don't understand, is in "Internet Options/Programs" - the HTML Editor is "Notepad" with no other option listed (the 8100's is MS Word) and under E-Mail, "Outlook" is listed, with Corel E-mail the only other option. All this doesn't seem right, but I'm lost as to what to do about it.