After a new person registers on my forums, s/he has a blinking envelope at the top of the page indicating that they have an unread private message. However, if they click on the envelope they are taken to the "Your Private Messages" page where there is not a message waiting for them.

If I go to ubbt_PRIVATE_MESSAGE_POSTS, I can find the message, which is an automated welcome message from me.

My users are frustrated about not being able to remove the flashing envelope from the top of the page, and I would like for them to receive my welcome message. Does anyone have any suggestions?

In the control panel under Primary Settings -> Advanced, you'll see a field for the Main Administrator Uid. Make sure that field is set to your actual userid. By default it is 2, but if you came from an import, it may be different.

Thanks ... that was the problem.

I had the same problem and corrected the Admin ID - however, I still have a member that can't get rid of the flashing envelope. The forum still thinks there is one PM - that unreceived Welcome message - so the envelope keeps flashing.

I tried expiring cookies - that did not work.

Any ideas?

Never mind - I managed to find the post in the database and delete it - that fixed it