My hotmail ID is not recognised by the system

I created a UK-based hotmail in 2011 and I used the ID to sign up for a PSN account for my ps3. This is due to the fact that the DLCs of the PS3 games are not region free. The sole purpose that I created the UK-based hotmail is to download these DLCs and i have not log into the hotmail account since the day i created it. The funny thing is that now I wanted to SIGN IN to another ps3 using this account but i forgotten the password, the PS system sent a 'password reset' for my PS3 account to this UK-based hotmail, for some reason the ID is not recognised by microsoft which prevented me from getting to the password reset mail. It keeps saying the account does not exist. I understand that accounts would be deleted if it is inactive for a year or so, but how is it possible that the PS3 is still able to sign me in if my UK-based hotmail account is deleted. That means for two years i been able to sign into the PS3 system with a Windows ID which does not exist (I have it on save my ID and password so it would sign me in automatically)?? Please help...