Windows Live Mail connection and mail account problems

 After several months of perfect service my Windows Live Mail program has developed a couple of serious faults.  (1) about 50% of the time it refuses to send or receive emails and shows error messages suggesting a possible fault in my server, although every other online function works perfectly.  (2) I was advised to check the settings of my mail account which is listed in 'Settings' / 'Email', but when I did this my email account has disappeared and I get invited to open a new account.  I can't do this because all the settings were on the missing account.   Help!!!!!