Hi Paul, Hope this explains my problem better: As a result of responding to a request to compact messages in Outlook Express, I now find that I have several collapsed mails in my Outlook Express folder and I am wondering how can I resolve this problem. As a result I cannot send certain messages, but all messages seem to come in OK. The messages that are not going out seem to be related to the collapsed ones. These messages just disappear and are not in the Sent, Deleted or Drafts folders. I am also finding that if I try and delete any of the collapsed messages I get the following request: "Messages in the selected collapsed conversations will also be deleted. Do you wish to continue, Yes or No? I realise it was late when I got around to contacting you this evening but I will be home tomorrow after 11.30AM and will contact you then. Noreen M.