problem started whenever I sorted by subject or sender. Always took a long time. Switching back to date was always instantaneous. Now it has frozen on Sender. I get a little circle turning and "thunderbird does not respond". When it first opens showing inbox it looks normal, but when I click on anything, it freezes and I get the no response message. I can still retrieve messages on webmail, so there is no earthlink server problem or connexion. But I really do not want to lose my old messages. I tried a few tricks, and finally downloaded a new thunderbird, but I have the impression it just took over the old problem unchanged. Help please!