Vista Tutorial - File Attachment sending

I have just purchased a computor with Windos Vista. I have also downloaded
Office Home and Student 2007 so I have Updated word program BUT Every time I
have sent a word attachment form either my previous word documents, or ones I
have saved in the 97-2003 format( these are resumes ), they leave fine and
readable. But When received by addressee' I sent to, the document either WONT
Open, or Opens with Gibberish that resembles DOS, in other words useless. I
am sending them out of a new account of WINDOWS MAIL. On my old Computor
(Windows 98) this never happened. I need EXPLICIT directions of how to send
these documents out so ALL necc receivers can read, download and scan them.
THIS is of high Importance.