email problem

[carmalee]

for the last week or so my the audio notification of a new email has been completely random - as has the little number in the minimised window at the bottom left hand of my screen - sometimes the numbers show, sometimes the audio works - also when I go into my inbox I have to reopen the last email, allow the column to drop down a line before new mail one(s) appears - I've just sent a test to myself and got neither audio or visual notification but the email was half way down the column instead of at the top. Any help gratefully accepted.