No, generally they're not scattered about, but found in your (user) Library->Preferences folder. You're looking for com.microsoft.Word.plist
Ok, found 33 items in that folder, but not that file. In fact, ain't nuthin' with "microsoft" or "word" in the file name.
QUOTE
I do have a "Troubleshooting" user set up, but I haven't tried switching over to it.
Might try that, it might determine that the problem is related to the OS.