Jay:
Do you mean Windows Home Basic? There is no such critter as Office Home Basic.
What Version Of Windows Am I Running (in pictures)
http://www.7tutorials.com/how-determine-what-version-windows-7-you-have
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/which-version-of-the-windows-operating-system-am-i-running
http://www.worldstart.com/32bit-or-64bit-operating-system/print/
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/find-out-32-or-64-bit
These are 2 very important questions for you to answer.
Problems and potential fixes are directly related to specific versions. MS is constantly introducing small changes to Windows and Office. If you give us specific information, we can give you specific fix suggestions.
Please remember that Windows and Office build on prior versions. So, a fix that works in an older version can often be applied to a newer version if it is adapted for changes in the menu systems.
System Information - enter MSINFO32 in start menu or run window
All information on the System Information panel is printable, the Control Panel System info is not.
First panel, System Summary presents most of the same info as Control panel system info, except for Product ID. It includes a great deal more detailed info.
This panel also provides access to details about Hardware Componenets and Software Environment
Since it "came with" the computer and runs in CTR, I'm guessing you have Office Starter.
See the rest of the answer I just provided StarterProbs