Help Clarifying Game Chat Function

[ClemClan]

I have not been able to chat in any type of chat window.
I select the local chat .. hit enter .. the box highlights but I cannot type in it.
I have been able to chat one time but did not know what i did and then I could not duplicate it.
I also had 1 mail and when i scroll over to the mail I cannot see the mail and then the number disappeared but ..
no mail is there to be read .. I think there is maybe an error with some setting?
Does anyone have any idea if the chat is supposed to be easy to use or am I doing something wrong. Here is what I am doing currently that is NOT working.

1. select the chat screen
2. hit enter to highlight the local chat box
3. try to type but nothing happens

MAIL
1. select the chat screen (top left)
2. navigate over to mail
3. Try to select mail that DOES NOT seem to exist

I am losing my mind!

[ClemClan]

I should add that I tried both 32 and 64 bit in both windowed and full screen modes.

[ClemClan]

ok .. i booted up from another computer and the local chat works but i still don't see the mail .. its possible I deleted it .. do you think I got mail from mobius? if so .. is there an introductory mail i accidentally destroyed? So I wonder what is wrong with my main computer chat.

[Orkekum]

can you take a screenshot, in the game there is no mail, there is a message thing up left, but that is for npc to give you messages and stuff.

You can scroll the chatbox reciever using TAB button ,example, target commander, press enter to get to chat, press tab to chat to cmdr, local or friend

(adit, link)

HEre is a link http://elite-dangerous.wikia.com/wiki/Communications

[Schmobius]

Messages tend to be ephemeral in Elite. They are mostly from NPCs trying to bribe you to divert your mission, but also when you rank up in combat, trading or exploring, a little animated message will show up under the envelope.

Don't lose too much sleep over what you're missing.

[de Carabas]

Messages are more common and improved in 2.1 so you need to get this sorted.

My guess would be it's a binding issue that isn't allowing you the right focus on the typing. I had something similar once and it was somethign to do with what I had the UI back bound to (I think).