Having random problems trying to read mail messages

[RenaissanceMan]

I am now randomly getting error messages when I try and read email messages that have already been downloaded to my mac Mail program. (I'm running OSX 10.3.9 and using the Mac Mail program.) They look like this:

"The message from "_sender_" <sender@sender.address> concerning “_subject_” has not been downloaded from the server. You need to take this account online in order to download it."

I don't understand why this is. The program is running with all accounts online and active. If I click on a message in my inbox and subsequently get this message, I can't read that message again unless I quit Mail and restart. Messages I am trying to click on and read have already been downloaded by the program and are no longer on the mail server.

Any ideas?

 

[bobw]

You need to take this account online in order to download it."

The above usually means the user's mailbox is very large and has become corrupt. Here's an Apple tech note on the subject: Mac OS X 10.3 Mail: Overstuffed mailbox is unexpectedly empty.