If the *.ppt files are trying to open in Word, that would be part of the problem. Do you also have Powerpoint? If so, right click one of the PPT file, select "Open with...", select Power Point from the list, and check "Always use the selected program..." then click ok.
Have you tried opening a DOC file yet? Are they doing the same thing?
On a side note, could you edit your first post and remove all the "ÿ"s from it. Without a line break it's making the page display weird.