Mail client deleted messages on server retrieval

Hi,

I've been using my Macbook with the Mail client application since September 2009. During all this time, I didn't know that the option to delete messages from my Hotmail server after receiving them on Mail was selected. That is why when I logged on today, I realized that my Inbox shrank from 6000 messages to about 120. I immediately unchecked this box when I googled this problem but I was just wondering if it was possible move a copy of the messages to my Hotmail server or if they're permanently deleted off the server now?

Thanks!!

Do you have copies of the missing email? If you do, just resend or forward them to yourself via Hotmail and the copy will remain on the server.

Regards.