Did you compact all the folders or just the trash? You could try repairing the inbox. Right-click Inbox, choose Properties > General Information > Repair Folder.

There is a box that comes up most days asking me to compact all folders and I click to do so. I didn't know what it meant until today. It doesn't seem to change anything. Today I have also gone to compact the trash. Since posting my query the problem with deletes reappearing has stopped, fortunately.

My other problem with folders disappearing is not solved, they seem to have gone for good. I did do Repair Folder a couple of times as you have suggested but no change.

Thanks for replying - any other ideas how I can get my folders back?

I don't know how to use this

How do I send in my reply?

Were you using the inbox for storage? It was not meant for that.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Recover_messages_from_a_corrupt_folder
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Keep_it_working_%28Thunderbird%29