I also have ME and OE and cannot use spell check. I copied the following from the help menu in OE:
"To check the spelling in messages
Outlook Express uses the spelling checker provided with the following Microsoft Office programs: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. If you do not have one of these programs installed, the Spelling command is not available.
In the New Message window, click Spelling on the toolbar, or on the Tools menu, click Spelling.
Note
To customize the way your spelling checker works, on the Tools menu, click Options, and then select the Spelling tab. "
I went to the new message and spelling is there, but it is light gray where I cannot click on it. I guess maybe because I don't have any of the programs listed above (Word, Excel or PowerPoint). Hope this info helps you.