Disappearing messages

[mtav]

I use Windows Mail in Windows Vista. The first sign that things were not right was a week or two ago when I would compose a message and click Send, and it would disappear from the window in which it had been composed and fail to arrive in the Sent Items folder. This happened repeatedly. Then two days ago, my Sent Items folder, which had had a lot of messages in it, was suddenly empty, and still is. And then, this morning a message came in which I read, but later when I wanted to reply to it it was no longer in my Inbox. I have also realiised that all messages from a different sender (which have come in over the last month) have also vanished.

 

My ISP is BT Broadband, and messages to and from Windows Mail go via BT Yahoo Mail. Incoming messages are saved there. Outgoing messages used to be saved there too, and Yahoo Mail is still set up that they should be. But the Yahoo Mail Sent folder is now empty. just like the Windows Mail Sent Items folder.

 

Does anyone know how how I can restore my email system to a working condition? I use Bullguard Antivirus which is kept fully up to date.

 

Incoming messages go also to Windows Mail on my laptop so none have actually been lost, but outgoing messages were mainly sent from the computer with the problem and I had no backup - now rectified! Is it going to be possible to recover my lost sent messages?

[mtav]

I use Windows Mail in Windows Vista. The first sign that things were not right was a week or two ago when I would compose a message and click Send, and it would disappear from the window in which it had been composed and fail to arrive in the Sent Items folder. This happened repeatedly. Then two days ago, my Sent Items folder, which had had a lot of messages in it, was suddenly empty, and still is. And then, this morning a message came in which I read, but later when I wanted to reply to it it was no longer in my Inbox. I have also realiised that all messages from a different sender (which have come in over the last month) have also vanished.

 

My ISP is BT Broadband, and messages to and from Windows Mail go via BT Yahoo Mail. Incoming messages are saved there. Outgoing messages used to be saved there too, and Yahoo Mail is still set up that they should be. But the Yahoo Mail Sent folder is now empty. just like the Windows Mail Sent Items folder.

 

Does anyone know how how I can restore my email system to a working condition? I use Bullguard Antivirus which is kept fully up to date.

 

Incoming messages go also to Windows Mail on my laptop so none have actually been lost, but outgoing messages were mainly sent from the computer with the problem and I had no backup - now rectified! Is it going to be possible to recover my lost sent messages?

I think my second para is wrong. Certainly, incoming messages come through bt.yahoo.com and are saved there, but I don't think outgoing ones do, and it follows that these messages never were held in the yahoo Sent folder.

[RandyL]

mtavs original post is at http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/email-issues/8534-empty-sent-items-folder.html. I asked him to post here because I don't trust his security suite and his issue didn't seem normal.

 

After the latest posts here and there I'm confused as to exactly what the issue is at this point.

[chiaz]

Mtav,

 

Would you like us to help check if your system is entirely clean?

[mtav]

Sorry if I caused confusion, RandyL. The issue with Windows Mail is exactly as ever. Sent Items folder is empty. Items I send now reach their destination but leave no trace in my computer. And more recently I seem to be losing messages which were in my Inbox.

 

Haven't opened Mail on this computer recently for obvious reasons. Networked laptop which also uses Windows Mail works fine (but doesn't hold any messages originally sent from the problem computer).

Edited November 18, 2009 by mtav

[mtav]

Mtav,

 

Would you like us to help check if your system is entirely clean?

 

Sounds like an offer I can't refuse. What's involved?

[chiaz]

OK,

 

A few things before we start....

1. Please Read All Instructions Carefully.

2. If you don't understand something, stop and ask! Don't keep going on.

3. Please do not run any other tools or scans whilst I am helping you.

4. If you have to go away for an extended period of time, let me know.

5. Please continue to respond until I give you the "All Clear".

(Just because you can't see a problem doesn't mean it isn't there)

 

 

==========================

 

First download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware by clicking the link below:

|MG| Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.41 Download

 

Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.

 

* Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.

* If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.

* Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.

* The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.

* When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.

* Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.

* When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.(See Extra Note)

* The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.

* You'll be required to post the contents of this log later.

 

Please Note:

If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process,if asked to restart the computer,please do so immediately.

 

====================

 

Then download ComboFix.exe. Please visit this webpage for downloading and instructions for running the tool:

 

Go here ======> A guide and tutorial on using ComboFix <====== Go here

 

Please ensure you read this guide carefully and install the Recovery Console first.This applies to XP Pro and XP Home users only.If you have SP3 installed you will need to use the download meant for SP2.

 

The Windows Recovery Console will allow you to boot up into a special recovery (repair) mode. This allows us to more easily help you should your computer have a problem after an attempted removal of malware. It is a simple procedure that will only take a few moments of your time.

 

Once installed, you should get a prompt that says:

 

The Recovery Console was successfully installed.

 

Please continue as follows:

 

(1) Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.

(2) Click Yes to allow ComboFix to continue scanning for malware.

 

When the tool is finished, it will produce a report for you.

 

 

Please copy and paste the MBAM log and C:\ComboFix.txt for further review, so that we may continue cleansing the system.

 

 

Caution: Never run and remove files with Combofix unless supervised by a qualified security analyst who is experienced in the use of Combofix. Misuse can cause serious computer problems.

[mtav]

Many thanks, chiaz. Will do as you suggest, but can't set aside much time right now.

[mtav]

chiaz, please explain 4 and 5 of "before we start". Will you somehow be monitoring what I do? How do I know when you are ready and available for me to start? You say 'continue to respond' - what to? And you say you will give me the 'All Clear' - how? You warn against going away - roughly how long does the whole process take?

 

Sorry if I am being obtuse, but you do say 'don't keep going on - ask if you don't understand something'!

[chiaz]

When I said "going away", I didn't mean you (and I) would have to stay at the computer the entire time this whole process is going to take. Some people, thinking that their malware is gone, stop checking the thread for replies, or go 'missing' for weeks. This is the situation I was referring to.