Excel XP, SP3 running on Windows XP

I have a spreadsheet that I open and update at least 4 to 5 times a day
every day. This spreadsheet is created monthgly from a template, then used
continously for teh month. A few weeks ago, I was delighted to have a new XP
system installed, replacing my old Win2K system; then these aggravations
began.

For several days now, I have been noticing that this one spreadsheet stopped
recalculating. I checked ToolsOptionscalculation and found that the calc
mode was set to manual-- I then changed it to automatic, clicked the OK
button and went on my merry way.

The next time, I opened teh sheet, it did not calculate. Sure enough the
calc mode was set to manual. After several days of this, I finally realized I
was running through this over and over. At first I thought maybe I was
forgetting teh OK button. So I ran a test today. I repeated the following
process 5 times in a row.
OPen spreadsheet, make an entry, no Autocalc
set to teh calc mode to Auto, verify that I click OK and exit properly
SAve and close the worksheet
Repeat the above steps wth identical results.

Opened the template the spreadsheet was created from, checked calc mode and
it is indeed set to automatic.

Now let me throw one more caveat in the scenario. New computer has MS Office
XP Pro installed, Old Win2k station had MS Office 2000. Offcei XP does not
include Publisher. It installed Publisher 2000 on new XP system, Yes we still
have the install rights for the earlier version. As soon as Publisher
activated, I began having trouble opening ACcess files, all databases opened
via a desktop shortcut open in a secure mode. Finally found that the shortcut
was calling Access for Windows„¢, so I reset the shortcut to open Access„¢ and
the shortcuts fucntion fine now.

Could this Publisher install be adversely affecting the Excel in a similar
fashion? Anyone had similar experience? Did you find a solution? Short of a
bullet through the monitor.

I have been through the listings here for Calc, recalc, Calculation mode,
and Excel resets calc mode to manual. Have found countless entries
expalaining about the mode of one sheet affecting the calc mode of next sheet
opened. But my problem has beeb verified when the only the one worksheet is
open, closed and then reopened.

I would appreciate any and all ideas and suggestions. I will be back at my
station on Monday and can test/forward ideas to our IT staff. Thanks to all
respondents in advance.