http://kb.mozillazine.org/Corrupted_message_body_display You could try repairing the folder first.

Why would it be corrupted of the older version of thunderbird can view everything ok?

Because it has a different profile? I hope it has a different profile. It is not a good idea to use the same profile with different versions of Tbird. Going backwards is known to cause problems.

Profile? Going backwards? What are you on about.?

I don't mean to be rude, but so far nothing you have said has been of any help let alone made much sense.

All I want to be able to do is view my emails. The latest versions of thunderbird let me see that I had an email from someone but when I try to view it, it is completely blank, or has a lot of alphanumeric representations of what was there.

Now what I would appreciate is someone who can explain things in layman speak, preferably who works for Mozilla, who may have a handle on what I need to change in the new version of Mozilla, so that I can view them, or else at least let me know the reasons as to why this might not be possible. - which would surprise me. At this stage I'm assuming that it is something that I am doing or not doing that is the problem. Failing that, I will keep using the old version, as it seems to function perfectly well.

Thanks

Going from a newer version to an older one can cause problems if you are using the same profile all along. That is going backwards. If the older version of Tbird works for you, fine. I would recommend backing up the profile if you are going to experiment with going back and forth from older to newer versions and back again.

You still don't seem to understand. You keep referring to me going backwards. I am only using the older version cos the newer one will not show me the contents of the emails. I'm not the one updating the program - thats Mozilla - why should I have to jump through hoops..."saving profiles" - whatever that means... Mozilla is the one who keep sending the upgrades & updates to their program. I am annoyed that I have to do anything at all - it should just work!

Xami:

As finitarry said, you need to follow the instructions that are at: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Corrupted_message_body_display

If you are not comfortable doing that, then get someone to help you.

You can turn off the automatic updates. If you are not willing to go into about:config, then go to Options > Advanced > Update and uncheck "Thunderbird". Backing up your Thunderbird profile is not a bad idea anyway. If something happens to it, you can restore the backup. You can find the profile by going to the Help menu, choosing Troubleshooting Information and clicking the button that offers to show the profile.