OK - I am computer illiterate. Please help.
Since I usually get confused with how to reply to a PM I write a completely new one. Thus I am now trying to reply. I entered my reply "above" their reply to me. Is that correct. I just scrolled down the enter key to get space to reply above theirs.
Next question and most important one. Will my reply come up as an Unread Message in the Private Messages in the top right hand box. The box that says: Private Mesages: Unread (#) , Total (#) or do only NEW PM's reflect "unread in that box. I am confused. Do I need to send a new PM each time so the people know they have a PM or will the reply reflect as an unread PM also?
Thanks,
Sydney

you did fine - some will make a reply at the top and some do it at the bottom.
some leave the original PM on the reply and some will delete it - either is fine.

clarified & corrected - any PMs you receive will show on the PM # count as a bold number.

Question?
Do people only know they have a PM if it is a NEW one or are they also informed if there is a REPLY in their PM box? I assume they should know if it is either. Correct? When I read your reply it seemed like you needed to send a new PM each time so the person knew you answered their message. I am confused. It would seem that the Private Unread Messages should indicate either a reply or new message is Unread. Correct?
Thanks,
Sydney

hi Sydney

hope I understand your Q correctly............

if you have your options set to be notified of PMs you will get a message every time you receive a PM, whether a new one or a reply

HTH

Yes, you're right any PM you get or send to another - new or a new reply will show in the # area and be marked as unread until it is read.

Did you go to the User CP {above on the left} you can set it to send you a email notice of PMs as well as a pop up notice if you are online when one arrives.

in the edit options section-

[ Messaging & Notification

Receive Email
From time to time, the administrators may want to send you email notices.

If you do not want to receive these notices, disable this option.
Receive Email from Administrators

You can allow other members to send you email messages.
Receive Email from Other Members

Default Thread Subscription Mode
When you post a new thread, or reply to a topic, you can choose to automatically add that thread to your list of subscribed threads, with the option to receive email notification of new replies to that thread.
Default Thread Subscription Mode:


Private Messaging
This forum features a private messaging system, which allows members to send messages to one another privately.

If you do not want to send or receive private messages, you may disable the private messaging system.
Enable Private Messaging

You may limit the receipt of private messages to just moderators and those on your buddy list. Other members who attempt to send messages to you will be told that you have disabled private messaging.
Receive Private Messages only from Buddies and Moderators

The forum can send a message to your email address to inform you when someone sends you a private message.
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]

I checked my User CP as you suggested. I had it set correctly to receive all PM's as well as Emails from administrators. Now I understand that I will receive either replies or new messages from PM's. I also noticed that if you send a new PM - the PM is lost if the person sends a new PM instead of a reply to yours. Correct? That is what has been happening to me.
Thank you for your very prompt responses to my questions. This is such a wonderful place where others help each other.
My best wishes to you
Sydney

Sydney,
I'm going to merge your threads together into one thread -so the info on this topic is all in one place.

you should have saved copies of all received and sent PMs
in your PM section called - Folder Controls

Inbox contains *** messages.
Sent Items contains *** messages.

Jump to Folder: {select Inbox or Sent Items}

maybe they are deleting the original message - so it looks like a new PM? does it say Re: {with the original title} or a complete new title?

so nothing should be getting lost

thanks - I just realized you could set the PM for inbox as well as sent messages. Found all those I sent. So Sorry for the ridiculously simple questions. I am not a risk taker on the computer. Thus I tend tnot to just see things as easily as others. Thanks again
Sydney