Vista - Corrupted File Directory For Windows Mail

Hello:

How do I cure the corrupted file directory (default location is in Local
Folders) for my Windows Mail message store?

When I look through the Win Mail interface, all of my message boxes are in
order, the dierctory is correct and all of the folder names are correctly
spelled.

However, when I examine the file structure with Windows Explorer, the
directory has a number of errors. Specifically, the messages appear split
between my main director and old store for imported mail that was created
when I first imported the messages. The "imported" directory has been
deleted within the Windows Mail program, and no longer appears in the user
interface, but is still present in the file directory accessed via Windows
Explorer.

There are other errors. Some subdirectories are listed in WE that no longer
exist in WM. In addition, the folder names that appear in WE have
duplicates and many mispellings.

I have tried "compacting" but that has not cured problem

Another question: Is it better to back up with the "export" feature of WM ,
or copy the existing file directory (as it appears in WE) to your backup
location, and what is the difference between the two methods?

Many thanks for response and advice.


--
Rob