Q: OSX 10.6 mail suddenly asking for new set-up

After restarting my MacBook pro OSX 10.6., mail suddenly wants me to "go through the steps to set up a mail account." However, I just want to open my old sent and received messages.  I know my current mailboxes are in harddisk – users – susannerenner – library -- mail, and I don't want to send up a new mail account.

Thanks for your help!