Create and Reply Problems in Mail

Question

After upgrading from Panther to Tiger 4.5.5, I can no longer type a new message or Reply to an existing one. I can bring up a new message window, but it will only let me type about 10 letters, and then it beeps at me and won't let me type any more. The same thing happens when I try to forward a message -- it won't let me type above the forwarded message! Thinking maybe it was an installation problem, I reinstalled the 4.5.5 update again, and once again, fixed permissions, but it still doesn't work correctly.
The Reply and Reply All buttons don't work at all as they seem to be non-clickable.
I have no problems receiving mail, and all my mailboxes imported just fine. I also have a .Mac account (it is set up so it shows up in Mail) and seem to have the same problem creating or replying to messages using that account as well. The only way I can reply to a message or create a new one is to use my internet webmail or .mac account.
Has this happened to anyone else? Can someone out there please help me?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Thanks, but that didn't work for me. I threw away my Preferences many times and nothing changed, but that's always a good place to start when you're having trouble with an application. Apple just released (April 4th or 5th) a new Security Update that addresses connectivity problems, so I hope this will help resolve some users' problems. I think the problem was with the last Security Update from Apple (released about 2 weeks ago).
I found another thread at the Apple Discussion Board with subject entitled: Topic: Yet Another Mail User Who Can't Compose or Reply at http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jpsa?threadID=418581. You might want to try reading through some of the suggestions. Apparently, there are quite a few people with the same problem. I have solved my problem by using a cleaning tool called Cocktail and cleaned out both by System and Kernel Caches (see below). First try setting up a new System account (not just a new Mail account). Then open Mail, set your preferences, and try to Send something. If it works, you'll know the conflict isn't the application itself.
You can create a new System account/identity by going to your System Preferences, then choose System - Accounts, and click on the + to add a new account. Be sure to unlock the little lock on the bottom left so you can edit. After you set up the Account, then choose Login Options. I have "Automatically Log in as" checked so this account will come up when I start up my computer.
Mail and TextEdit both worked fine in the new account for me. I don't know if anyone else had trouble with TextEdit, but I had the same type of typing issues as when tyring to compose a new message in Mail. I could type a little, but the spacing would be messed up, or it would just lock up.
My system has now been fixed (Yay!) by cleaning out both the System Cache and Kernel Cache. There are two freeware utility programs that you can download at versiontracker.com (a great source for all kinds of programs) that will do this for you. One is called OnyX and the other is Cocktail. When you open up Cocktail, choose Files, then choose Caches. Check System, User, and Internet. Then press the Options button for more options. I have all the options checked, including Kernel Caches. This application worked for me, but OnyX is a great program that does all kinds of system cleaning and more -- definitely worth downloading. If one doesn't work, try the other.
I don't really know what the conflict was, but cleaning out the caches worked for me, and now everything seems to be back to normal.
I hope this helps. Good Luck.
800 MHz PowerPC G4   Mac OS X (10.4.5)