Macmail - deleted messages no longer going into Trash

[markstjames]

I'm using a Powerbook G4 laptop with OS10.5.7; I've been using Mac's Mail program for email with no problems but recently I noticed nothing was going into my Trash folder like it normally did when I delete them from Inbox.
The deleted emails disappear but now the Trash folder is always empty.
I went into Mail preferences and made sure everything was normal, it's set to "move deleted emails into a separate folder" but I don't know where they are going now.

Anybody ever heard of this and how do I fix it?

Thanks

Mark

 

[rohopish]

Mail message no longer delete/disappear.

Try this:

While in Mail, click on Mailbox, followed by Rebuild. That should fix it.

Cheers.

 

[markstjames]

what does rebuild do

Will clicking Rebuild change or lose anything I've created in my mac mail system? - I've got tons of emails in folders I've created. I mean I don't want to click something that's going to set things back to original default set up or result in me losing anything or having to recreate all the organizational work I've done.

I'd love to click rebuild and it makes my Trash work again but could you tell me what Rebuild actually does?
Thanks
Mark