Deleted messages in Mail no longer visible

[RobW]

I'm not sure what I did to cause this one--or if it was anything I did, but I can no longer see deleted messages in the trash mailbox within Mail (v. 2.1.3.--OS X.4.11) I did a google search to look for solutions, and did not find any. However, I did find this thread in the Apple Support Forums. The first few paragraphs of the first post describe exactly what's going on for me--including the settings. (You'll see I also posted there tonight--no replies as of yet.) I did try to rebuild--no success.

One thing that I've noticed, is that there are no "subfolders" within the trash mailbox. I did see a subfolder within trash (with my account name) a short time before I noticed this problem. Tonight, I tried to create a new mailbox/folder within trash, but Mail would not allow it. (Hope I didn't lose you here--it's been a long day and I spent too much time fooling with this tonight.)

I think this problem actually began after I was fooling around with some possible "smart mailboxes", etc. I deleted what I was fooling around with--but wonder if I deleted something I shouldn't have in the process.

It's not a major problem--just an annoying one. Any thoughts? I do prefer to see what's in the trash before I delete/empty the trash folder/mailbox. (Is it a mailbox or folder???)

Thanks,

-Rob

[Xairbusdriver]

I have three sub-mail/trash boxes in my Trash mailbox. One for the two different email accounts and one that is labeled "On My Mac." I don't remember creating that one or how it got there or even what might go in there. OTOH, I'm not sure what I had for dinner last night!
 
Of course, there is a pref for how long to leave stuff in the trash, might double-check that value, probably want it to be more than 1 minute (it may have got set to Permanently erase...when Quitting Mail)!

And then there is the old, "move the plist somewhere and start over with the set up" procedure. Might be wise to write down all those names/servers/passwords/etc. before starting over, of course. But that might bring things back into a more normal situation as far as the Trash goes.

[RobW]

In all honesty, I'd rather not see the trash than have to deal with messing with the passwords, servers, setup stuff. If it bugs me that much, I'll just move back to Entourage. (I moved from Entourage to Mail a year or so ago. I think it was just because I didn't like the look of Entourage. I still think Entourage handles attachments I send better.)

I noticed those other folders in the trash mailbox recently as well. I never remembered seeing them before--so most likely I got rid of them when I was fooling around with other stuff.

You'd think there'd be an easy way to recreate it.

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

I'd rather not see the trash than have to deal with messing with the passwords, servers, setup stuff.

I'm not sure what you are wanting. There is no need to look at the Trash, unless you want to. I keep the little disclosure triangle in the closed position. Since I have my Trash emptied each time I quit Mail, I'm pretty sure what I put in there, already, no need to double cheque, sinse eye nevur mayke mizteaks!

Nor have I ever entered the password/ISP info more than once, except to change something, of course. The only reason I suggested that you write that down is so you'll have it handy if you re-install Mail. And only then because Mail loses that info if you move the plist from its normal position. Moving a plist is one of the fastest and most efficient ways of determining where a problem may be.

I dare say any program can get flakey, sooner or later, especially one that writes/deletes/sends and receives text/graphics/links in random ways every day. And I've heard of problems with Entourage that you'd never have in Mail (or even Eudora).

[RobW]

Sorry Jim, but I'm one of those people who empties the trash every couple of days--and would never set it to empty when i quit Mail--and I always look before emptying. As you can see from the way I probably got myself into this situation, I've been known to delete something and then have second thoughts about it. (When I'm given the option to "never see this warning again" I ALWAYS keep the box unchecked.)

By the way--there seems to be more than one plst file in the library for mail. Not sure which one I'd get rid of anyway, and don't feel like doing tons of trial and error.

Is it too late to go back to eWorld? Will it work with Tiger?

[Xairbusdriver]

I'm probably the opposite of you! I tend to delete less and keep too much clogging up my drives!

I only have two plists for Mail: com.apple.mail.list (the one I'd move to the Desktop) and com.apple.mail.searchlist.plist. I'm making a wild guess, but that one is probably not the one that is a problem. At any rate, moving one and then the other plist seems a pretty easy way to see if either is the problem. If that doesn't help, move them both back into the Preferences folder and report back here for other suggestions. I can just about guarantee that nothing much will change in your situation until something is done. I'd be happy to do that for you, but I'm pretty busy this weekend.

Frankly, if you're not having any problems, why mess with anything?

[RobW]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Jul 17 2009, 06:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...

Frankly, if you're not having any problems, why mess with anything?

What?    You mean "If it ain't fixed, why break it??" Jim, you disappoint me.

EDIT:  BTW, I did just try to delete com.apple.mail.list. That didn't work. I couldn't find com.apple.mail.searchlist.plist anywhere.

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

I did just try to delete com.apple.mail.list. That didn't work.

One thing at a time. First, there is no need to delete anything. Simply move a plist out of the folder it's in, that way, you can always return it with all your prefs intact (no matter what the app).
Now...
1. Was Mail still running when you moved/trashed/deleted the com.apple.mail.plist?
2. Did you actually drag the plist into the Trash and then Empty the Trash?
3. Once the plist was moved and Trashed/deleted. You restarted Mail, correct?
4. When Mail was restarted, was any of the account info missing?
5. Were any of the Mailboxes any different?

QUOTE

I couldn't find com.apple.mail.searchlist.plist anywhere.

You may not have one. That was simply an answer to this remark, earlier:

QUOTE

there seems to be more than one plst file in the library for mail.

What was the name of that other plist?

[RobW]

Sorry--I misspoke. Or mistyped, to be more accurate. I didn't delete the plist. (Whenever I do that, I put it in a folder on my desktop.) When I set up the account from the beginning, the problem was still there. I put the original plist back in to return all to the way it was.

At this point, I'm going to let it go for awhile. If I ever find the fix or hear about it, I'll report back. Thanks anyway!

[krissel]

Rob, have you tried trashing something and seeing if it shows up somewhere, like in a new folder in Trash?

I'm using Leopard which is somewhat different as to where it puts folders in Mail. In my setup there is one folder under Trash labeled Kris and the another that is for all the folders that are in On my Mac. The latter is the only place it lets you create new folders other than the ones that are automatically created when you add an account.  I know this is probably not exactly what Tiger does so it probably doesn't help.  

But at least I'm thinking of you.  

[RobW]

QUOTE

Rob, have you tried trashing something and seeing if it shows up somewhere, like in a new folder in Trash?

Yep--did that before and after I tried replacing the plist file. They are in:  User->Library->Mail->POP XXxxxxxx->Deleted Messages. They just are not showing in the trash can icon within the mail app--or any of the other mailbox/folders within Mail.

If I read of a fix somewhere, I'll try it and post results here. But for now, I think I'm done with the trial and error approach. (Not enough time or motivation.) Thanks anyway!

-Rob