Hi Chuck,
Welcome to TechSurvivors! I'm not sure exactly what is happening to cause your problems, but here's a couple of thoughts.
First, to back up your mail, back up the MicroSoft User Data (aka "MUD") folder which should be in your documents folder. Also, as a basic trouble-prevention routine, since the mail data base is prone to corruption from time to time, for preventative maintanence, you should rebuld the data base on occasion. To do this, startup Entourage and press the option key. You'll be asked if you want to rebuild the data base. Click yes/ok. When it's done, you'll be given the message that it's ok to go into the MUD folder and delete the folders "old mail" etc. (I think within the indentities inside the "MUD" folder?--I'm not home now to double check.) Go ahead and trash those "old" folders as directed. (Only delete the ones marked "old"! )
Hope this helps.
[ 02-14-2003, 10:46 AM: Message edited by: RobW ]