Maureen, I have saved and run a file from the Idle editor perhaps a thousand times over the years with multiple Python versions, including 3.2.3 (retried just now) on both Windows XP and Win7. (Note: on the General tab of the Preferences dialog, one can make saving automatic for named files.) Like many others, I have had no problems, so there is something peculiar about your system or installation. For us to be of any help, please provide the information Ned already requested.

1. Start "Python (command line)" from Start/3.2 menu.
2. Enter "from idlelib import idle" to start Idle.
3. Either open a new or existing file and make a change.
4. Try to save and tell us *exactly* the directory you are in and the filename you enter.
5. If Idle closes, does it just go 'poof' or is there a Windows error message box?
6. If there is a box, what does it say?
7. If there is a traceback, copy *all* of it and paste into a message here.

If you have to do anything different than the above to get an error, please be specific.