Chris,

Posting deletion is normal - it's usually done at the server when the size
limit is reached on the disk and 'new' postings 'push' the old ones off.

You can try altering your settings so that you can see them as long as
possible on your machine by going to Tools > Options > Maintenance then
check the box and set a value on the Delete new messages....

Or you can simple save the posts that you are reading to your hard drive by
simply showing the relevant post and then click File > Save As > and the
save to a folder on your hard drive - this is the best way as the post then
never 'disappears'.

Brian G

You should find that all old posts are available via Google Groups.    They
bought out deja.com who performed this function and, as far as I know, have
kept it up.   Not ideal but better than nowt.    The other alternative is to
subscribe to a news server.    I am with BT Broadband and they have
outsourced their news facility to Giganews on which I can get back (on this
group) to July 2003.   I know that you can also subscribe (for a fee) to
Giganews.