I have played Oblivion and Skyrim for years, so not a newby to games.

BUT, have downloaded from Steam Morrowind and am trying to play on Win 7. Game starts fine, but . . .Read on UESP how to make coin in the Excise office. "Pick up an item and drop it on the floor." "Open menu first."

I have tried every key and the Spacebar. I cannot pick up and cannot open menu . . .

Any help appreciated.

You talked to the guy in the brown robe yet? You can't really do anything like opening the menu/picking up items until after you give him info on stuff (class, birth sign, etc.).

Also, forget UESPWiki. Play the game as it comes. You'll enjoy the game more. Just make sure you use the weapon you are good at and keep your fatigue up.

Man, how I miss being a newbie, stumbling to treasures in tombs, finally being able to kill a dremora, finding the 'unlikely' trader in an imperial town etc.

As mentioned, you need to finish creating your character before you can access the menu.

And other functions, like using magic or the journal, cannot be done until you fully leave the entire Census Office.