Can't get fax working

[Richard Ratner]

I bought a computer with Vista that had no modem. I installed my old modem -
vista didn't like that - BSOD on shutdown. Uninstalled that, bought new modem
listed as Vista compatible, is in Device Manager as Agere Systems PCI SV92PP
soft modem. It is listed as operating correctly. Today I downloaded from
Windows Update an optional update which was a later driver, from 10/07. In
Fax Settings, the modem shows as connected, but when I try to create an
account, when I choose Receive Automatically or Notify Me, I get a box that
says "To send a fax, you must first connect to a fax modem or server. To see
how to set up your computer to send and receive faxes, see Help and Support".
The only way I can create an account is to say I'll choose later. In that
case, I can neither send nor receive faxes automatically, although I was able
to receive faxes manually. HELP!!

 

[huwyngr]

I bought a computer with Vista

Which version of VISTA? The Home editions do not include the Fax & Scan
Utility that is in the Business and Ultimate versions so you may be
dependent on third party solutions.

It's not an area I know about since I use a free-standing fax machine.

 

[Richard Ratner]

I have Business. I have made some progress. I got a third party fax program.
In setup, it saw the modem on com3. However, when I went to send a fax, it
forgot where the modem was. When I told it again in settings, I was able to
fax. I suspect that this is the problem with WFS - it forgets where the modem
is when an account is being created.

 

[huwyngr]

I have made some progress.

Glad to hear that.

I suspect that this is the problem with WFS - it forgets where the modem 
is when an account is being created.

Perhaps someone can help you on this aspect.

 

[Richard Ratner]

Well, I am upset. I downloaded Snappy Fax and it works just fine. The problem
is with WFS. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it, no help.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Did you create a brand new fax account from scratch after you changed
modems, changed drivers, and installed conflicting software?

 

[Richard Ratner]

Did you create a brand new fax account from scratch after you changed
modems, changed drivers, and installed conflicting software?

I am not sure what you mean by "conflicting software" (if you mean snappy, I
have uninstalled it), but yes, I have tried creating a new account. Always
the same problem - when I try to tell WFS how to receive, it says that I must
be connected to a modem, although under Fax Settings it says I have a modem
installed. The only way to create an account is postpone specifying a mode of
reception. I suspect this has something to do with ports - WFS should allow
the user to tell it where the modem is. A similar thing happened when I
installed Snappy. It recognized the modem on com3 during setup, but when I
went to send a fax, it couldn't see the modem. It then asked me where it was,
I told it com3, and it worked just fine.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Well, I am upset. I downloaded Snappy Fax and it works just fine. The
problem
is with WFS. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it, no help.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

What do you see when you examine the properties of this modem in Control
Panel > Phone and Modems...? Does the Fax Account setup Wizard detect this
modem correctly before it prevents you from configuring it to receive? Have
you tried running WFS elevated when configuring the Fax Account?
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Did you create a brand new fax account from scratch after you changed
modems, changed drivers, and installed conflicting software?

I am not sure what you mean by "conflicting software" (if you mean snappy,
I
have uninstalled it), but yes, I have tried creating a new account. Always
the same problem - when I try to tell WFS how to receive, it says that I
must
be connected to a modem, although under Fax Settings it says I have a
modem
installed. The only way to create an account is postpone specifying a mode
of
reception. I suspect this has something to do with ports - WFS should
allow
the user to tell it where the modem is. A similar thing happened when I
installed Snappy. It recognized the modem on com3 during setup, but when I
went to send a fax, it couldn't see the modem. It then asked me where it
was,
I told it com3, and it worked just fine.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message

Well, I am upset. I downloaded Snappy Fax and it works just fine. The
problem
is with WFS. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it, no help.

:

Richard
Ratner wrote:

I have made some progress.

Glad to hear that.

I suspect that this is the problem with WFS - it forgets where the
modem
is when an account is being created.

Perhaps someone can help you on this aspect.

 

[huwyngr]

I downloaded Snappy Fax and it works just fine.

Hey, that's the good news <g> We don't always get any!

 

[Richard Ratner]

What do you see when you examine the properties of this modem in Control
Panel > Phone and Modems...?

The modem is there and Properties says that it is working properly.


Does the Fax Account setup Wizard detect this

modem correctly before it prevents you from configuring it to receive?

Well, that is really not possible for me to tell. I make it through the
first two screens, so it gives the impression that it has found the modem,
since it asks on the second screen to name the modem, but I cannot be sure,
since the Wizard does not definitively tell me, yes, it has found the modem.
Anyway, on the next screen, when I choose a reception mode, is when it is
clear that WFS does not see the modem.

Have

you tried running WFS elevated when configuring the Fax Account?

I am not sure what you mean. If you are referring to security, I have tried
changing permissions from everyone to Richard. I am the administrator. No
change. I did notice under the advanced tab that the "owner" is Network
Service and I, even as administrator, only have permission to view this, not
change it. It would be so nice if secuirty settings could be modified for
sole users of standalone computers at home.

Sorry for this late reply. Somehow I was not notified of your reply. And
thanks.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

Did you create a brand new fax account from scratch after you changed
modems, changed drivers, and installed conflicting software?

I am not sure what you mean by "conflicting software" (if you mean snappy,
I
have uninstalled it), but yes, I have tried creating a new account. Always
the same problem - when I try to tell WFS how to receive, it says that I
must
be connected to a modem, although under Fax Settings it says I have a
modem
installed. The only way to create an account is postpone specifying a mode
of
reception. I suspect this has something to do with ports - WFS should
allow
the user to tell it where the modem is. A similar thing happened when I
installed Snappy. It recognized the modem on com3 during setup, but when I
went to send a fax, it couldn't see the modem. It then asked me where it
was,
I told it com3, and it worked just fine.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Well, I am upset. I downloaded Snappy Fax and it works just fine. The
problem
is with WFS. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it, no help.

:

Richard
Ratner wrote:

I have made some progress.

Glad to hear that.

I suspect that this is the problem with WFS - it forgets where the
modem
is when an account is being created.

Perhaps someone can help you on this aspect.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

But the Setup Wizard should detect your modem (unless it has preciously
detected another modem on this partition or your modem has been initialized
by other fax software).
Running elevated means running WFS as an administrator. Use the context (R
click) menu to do that.

I'm not sure what notification you were expecting. This is NNTP. Utilities
that notify you of replies in a newsgroups do not work consistently. You
need to check the thread using a good newsreader.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

What do you see when you examine the properties of this modem in Control
Panel > Phone and Modems...?

The modem is there and Properties says that it is working properly.


Does the Fax Account setup Wizard detect this

modem correctly before it prevents you from configuring it to receive?

Well, that is really not possible for me to tell. I make it through the
first two screens, so it gives the impression that it has found the modem,
since it asks on the second screen to name the modem, but I cannot be
sure,
since the Wizard does not definitively tell me, yes, it has found the
modem.
Anyway, on the next screen, when I choose a reception mode, is when it is
clear that WFS does not see the modem.

Have

you tried running WFS elevated when configuring the Fax Account?

I am not sure what you mean. If you are referring to security, I have
tried
changing permissions from everyone to Richard. I am the administrator. No
change. I did notice under the advanced tab that the "owner" is Network
Service and I, even as administrator, only have permission to view this,
not
change it. It would be so nice if secuirty settings could be modified for
sole users of standalone computers at home.

Sorry for this late reply. Somehow I was not notified of your reply. And
thanks.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message

:

Did you create a brand new fax account from scratch after you changed
modems, changed drivers, and installed conflicting software?

I am not sure what you mean by "conflicting software" (if you mean
snappy,
I
have uninstalled it), but yes, I have tried creating a new account.
Always
the same problem - when I try to tell WFS how to receive, it says that
I
must
be connected to a modem, although under Fax Settings it says I have a
modem
installed. The only way to create an account is postpone specifying a
mode
of
reception. I suspect this has something to do with ports - WFS should
allow
the user to tell it where the modem is. A similar thing happened when I
installed Snappy. It recognized the modem on com3 during setup, but
when I
went to send a fax, it couldn't see the modem. It then asked me where
it
was,
I told it com3, and it worked just fine.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Well, I am upset. I downloaded Snappy Fax and it works just fine.
The
problem
is with WFS. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it, no help.

:

Richard
Ratner wrote:

I have made some progress.

Glad to hear that.

I suspect that this is the problem with WFS - it forgets where
the
modem
is when an account is being created.

Perhaps someone can help you on this aspect.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

Note: "preciously" = "previously."

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

But the Setup Wizard should detect your modem (unless it has preciously
detected another modem on this partition or your modem has been
initialized by other fax software).
Running elevated means running WFS as an administrator. Use the context (R
click) menu to do that.

I'm not sure what notification you were expecting. This is NNTP. Utilities
that notify you of replies in a newsgroups do not work consistently. You
need to check the thread using a good newsreader.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

What do you see when you examine the properties of this modem in Control
Panel > Phone and Modems...?

The modem is there and Properties says that it is working properly.


Does the Fax Account setup Wizard detect this

modem correctly before it prevents you from configuring it to receive?

Well, that is really not possible for me to tell. I make it through the
first two screens, so it gives the impression that it has found the
modem,
since it asks on the second screen to name the modem, but I cannot be
sure,
since the Wizard does not definitively tell me, yes, it has found the
modem.
Anyway, on the next screen, when I choose a reception mode, is when it is
clear that WFS does not see the modem.

Have

you tried running WFS elevated when configuring the Fax Account?

I am not sure what you mean. If you are referring to security, I have
tried
changing permissions from everyone to Richard. I am the administrator. No
change. I did notice under the advanced tab that the "owner" is Network
Service and I, even as administrator, only have permission to view this,
not
change it. It would be so nice if secuirty settings could be modified for
sole users of standalone computers at home.

Sorry for this late reply. Somehow I was not notified of your reply. And
thanks.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message


:

Did you create a brand new fax account from scratch after you changed
modems, changed drivers, and installed conflicting software?

I am not sure what you mean by "conflicting software" (if you mean
snappy,
I
have uninstalled it), but yes, I have tried creating a new account.
Always
the same problem - when I try to tell WFS how to receive, it says that
I
must
be connected to a modem, although under Fax Settings it says I have a
modem
installed. The only way to create an account is postpone specifying a
mode
of
reception. I suspect this has something to do with ports - WFS should
allow
the user to tell it where the modem is. A similar thing happened when
I
installed Snappy. It recognized the modem on com3 during setup, but
when I
went to send a fax, it couldn't see the modem. It then asked me where
it
was,
I told it com3, and it worked just fine.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Well, I am upset. I downloaded Snappy Fax and it works just fine.
The
problem
is with WFS. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it, no help.

:

Richard
Ratner wrote:

I have made some progress.

Glad to hear that.

I suspect that this is the problem with WFS - it forgets where
the
modem
is when an account is being created.

Perhaps someone can help you on this aspect.

 

[Richard Ratner]

But the Setup Wizard should detect your modem (unless it has preciously
detected another modem on this partition or your modem has been initialized
by other fax software).

So far as I can tell, there are two ways of initiating what I presume you
mean by the wizard. The first is to click on New Fax, and the second is to
create a new account. Both give the same screens. On the first screen I
choose "Connect to a fax modem. I have a modem that is built in or connected
to my computer." The second screen asks me to choose a modem name. Now, one
would expect that after choosing a modem name, one should get confirmation
that the modem has been detected. But that does not happen. Choosing a name
brings me to Choose how to receive faxes, and making either choice gives me
"To send a fax, you must first connect to a fax modem or server." It doesn't
really make sense - if it can't find my modem, it should say so. Secondly, it
should not give me an error message about SENDING faxes when I click on a
choice for RECEIVING faxes. Also, under Settings in WFS, my modem shows.

Running elevated means running WFS as an administrator. Use the context (R
click) menu to do that.

I see. Tried it, no help.

I'm not sure what notification you were expecting.

I must have forgotten to check the box to be notified last time. No big deal.

This is NNTP. Utilities

that notify you of replies in a newsgroups do not work consistently. You
need to check the thread using a good newsreader.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

What do you see when you examine the properties of this modem in Control
Panel > Phone and Modems...?

The modem is there and Properties says that it is working properly.


Does the Fax Account setup Wizard detect this

modem correctly before it prevents you from configuring it to receive?

Well, that is really not possible for me to tell. I make it through the
first two screens, so it gives the impression that it has found the modem,
since it asks on the second screen to name the modem, but I cannot be
sure,
since the Wizard does not definitively tell me, yes, it has found the
modem.
Anyway, on the next screen, when I choose a reception mode, is when it is
clear that WFS does not see the modem.

Have

you tried running WFS elevated when configuring the Fax Account?

I am not sure what you mean. If you are referring to security, I have
tried
changing permissions from everyone to Richard. I am the administrator. No
change. I did notice under the advanced tab that the "owner" is Network
Service and I, even as administrator, only have permission to view this,
not
change it. It would be so nice if secuirty settings could be modified for
sole users of standalone computers at home.

Sorry for this late reply. Somehow I was not notified of your reply. And
thanks.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message


:

Did you create a brand new fax account from scratch after you changed
modems, changed drivers, and installed conflicting software?

I am not sure what you mean by "conflicting software" (if you mean
snappy,
I
have uninstalled it), but yes, I have tried creating a new account.
Always
the same problem - when I try to tell WFS how to receive, it says that
I
must
be connected to a modem, although under Fax Settings it says I have a
modem
installed. The only way to create an account is postpone specifying a
mode
of
reception. I suspect this has something to do with ports - WFS should
allow
the user to tell it where the modem is. A similar thing happened when I
installed Snappy. It recognized the modem on com3 during setup, but
when I
went to send a fax, it couldn't see the modem. It then asked me where
it
was,
I told it com3, and it worked just fine.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Well, I am upset. I downloaded Snappy Fax and it works just fine.
The
problem
is with WFS. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it, no help.

:

Richard
Ratner wrote:

I have made some progress.

Glad to hear that.

I suspect that this is the problem with WFS - it forgets where
the
modem
is when an account is being created.

Perhaps someone can help you on this aspect.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

The first step is always to create a new fax account: Tools > Fax
Accounts...
The second screen should detect your modem and let you set it as the modem
for that account. If your modem is not even detected, but is on the VHCL, I
hope you open a support incident with Microsoft while you are still eligible
for free support. They need to be held responsible for the fact that many
common modems are not compatible with their software and need to acquire the
information on how to fix this problem since they seem unable to figure it
out on their own.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

But the Setup Wizard should detect your modem (unless it has preciously
detected another modem on this partition or your modem has been
initialized
by other fax software).

So far as I can tell, there are two ways of initiating what I presume you
mean by the wizard. The first is to click on New Fax, and the second is to
create a new account. Both give the same screens. On the first screen I
choose "Connect to a fax modem. I have a modem that is built in or
connected
to my computer." The second screen asks me to choose a modem name. Now,
one
would expect that after choosing a modem name, one should get confirmation
that the modem has been detected. But that does not happen. Choosing a
name
brings me to Choose how to receive faxes, and making either choice gives
me
"To send a fax, you must first connect to a fax modem or server." It
doesn't
really make sense - if it can't find my modem, it should say so. Secondly,
it
should not give me an error message about SENDING faxes when I click on a
choice for RECEIVING faxes. Also, under Settings in WFS, my modem shows.

Running elevated means running WFS as an administrator. Use the context
(R
click) menu to do that.

I see. Tried it, no help.

I'm not sure what notification you were expecting.

I must have forgotten to check the box to be notified last time. No big
deal.

This is NNTP. Utilities

that notify you of replies in a newsgroups do not work consistently. You
need to check the thread using a good newsreader.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message

:

What do you see when you examine the properties of this modem in
Control
Panel > Phone and Modems...?

The modem is there and Properties says that it is working properly.


Does the Fax Account setup Wizard detect this
modem correctly before it prevents you from configuring it to receive?

Well, that is really not possible for me to tell. I make it through the
first two screens, so it gives the impression that it has found the
modem,
since it asks on the second screen to name the modem, but I cannot be
sure,
since the Wizard does not definitively tell me, yes, it has found the
modem.
Anyway, on the next screen, when I choose a reception mode, is when it
is
clear that WFS does not see the modem.

Have
you tried running WFS elevated when configuring the Fax Account?

I am not sure what you mean. If you are referring to security, I have
tried
changing permissions from everyone to Richard. I am the administrator.
No
change. I did notice under the advanced tab that the "owner" is Network
Service and I, even as administrator, only have permission to view
this,
not
change it. It would be so nice if secuirty settings could be modified
for
sole users of standalone computers at home.

Sorry for this late reply. Somehow I was not notified of your reply.
And
thanks.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message


:

Did you create a brand new fax account from scratch after you
changed
modems, changed drivers, and installed conflicting software?

I am not sure what you mean by "conflicting software" (if you mean
snappy,
I
have uninstalled it), but yes, I have tried creating a new account.
Always
the same problem - when I try to tell WFS how to receive, it says
that
I
must
be connected to a modem, although under Fax Settings it says I have
a
modem
installed. The only way to create an account is postpone specifying
a
mode
of
reception. I suspect this has something to do with ports - WFS
should
allow
the user to tell it where the modem is. A similar thing happened
when I
installed Snappy. It recognized the modem on com3 during setup, but
when I
went to send a fax, it couldn't see the modem. It then asked me
where
it
was,
I told it com3, and it worked just fine.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Well, I am upset. I downloaded Snappy Fax and it works just fine.
The
problem
is with WFS. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it, no help.

:

Richard
Ratner wrote:

I have made some progress.

Glad to hear that.

I suspect that this is the problem with WFS - it forgets where
the
modem
is when an account is being created.

Perhaps someone can help you on this aspect.

 

[Richard Ratner]

The first step is always to create a new fax account: Tools > Fax
Accounts...

I have no accounts as of now. Yet, when I click New Fax, I am brought to the
same screen as when I begin to add an account.

The second screen should detect your modem and let you set it as the modem
for that account.

As I say, I have no clue whether it is detecting a modem. The first screen
asks whether I want to use a modem or server, after I choose modem, the
second screen asks for a name, after I choose a name, the third screen asks
how I want to receive faxes. Nowhere is the word "detect" or any synonym used.



If your modem is not even detected, but is on the VHCL, I

hope you open a support incident with Microsoft while you are still eligible
for free support.

Haha, my old computer died and I couldn't wait to find one with no OS so
that I could install my XP. I bought this vista box under duress, and MS
(same acronym as a horrid disease) gives no free support if windows came with
the computer. I guess they expect the techs from the computer store, who also
sold me the modem, to be conversant enough to help in these situations. Yeah,
right.

They need to be held responsible for the fact that many

common modems are not compatible with their software and need to acquire the
information on how to fix this problem since they seem unable to figure it
out on their own.

Well, first of all, I want to thank you for the time you have taken to try
to help me. For me, the most telling thing is that Snappy Fax works perfectly
with no issues whatever. It's simple logic to arrive at the conclusion that
the fault is not with my modem or even with vista, but with WFS.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

But the Setup Wizard should detect your modem (unless it has preciously
detected another modem on this partition or your modem has been
initialized
by other fax software).

So far as I can tell, there are two ways of initiating what I presume you
mean by the wizard. The first is to click on New Fax, and the second is to
create a new account. Both give the same screens. On the first screen I
choose "Connect to a fax modem. I have a modem that is built in or
connected
to my computer." The second screen asks me to choose a modem name. Now,
one
would expect that after choosing a modem name, one should get confirmation
that the modem has been detected. But that does not happen. Choosing a
name
brings me to Choose how to receive faxes, and making either choice gives
me
"To send a fax, you must first connect to a fax modem or server." It
doesn't
really make sense - if it can't find my modem, it should say so. Secondly,
it
should not give me an error message about SENDING faxes when I click on a
choice for RECEIVING faxes. Also, under Settings in WFS, my modem shows.

Running elevated means running WFS as an administrator. Use the context
(R
click) menu to do that.

I see. Tried it, no help.

I'm not sure what notification you were expecting.

I must have forgotten to check the box to be notified last time. No big
deal.

This is NNTP. Utilities

that notify you of replies in a newsgroups do not work consistently. You
need to check the thread using a good newsreader.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message


:

What do you see when you examine the properties of this modem in
Control
Panel > Phone and Modems...?

The modem is there and Properties says that it is working properly.


Does the Fax Account setup Wizard detect this
modem correctly before it prevents you from configuring it to receive?

Well, that is really not possible for me to tell. I make it through the
first two screens, so it gives the impression that it has found the
modem,
since it asks on the second screen to name the modem, but I cannot be
sure,
since the Wizard does not definitively tell me, yes, it has found the
modem.
Anyway, on the next screen, when I choose a reception mode, is when it
is
clear that WFS does not see the modem.

Have
you tried running WFS elevated when configuring the Fax Account?

I am not sure what you mean. If you are referring to security, I have
tried
changing permissions from everyone to Richard. I am the administrator.
No
change. I did notice under the advanced tab that the "owner" is Network
Service and I, even as administrator, only have permission to view
this,
not
change it. It would be so nice if secuirty settings could be modified
for
sole users of standalone computers at home.

Sorry for this late reply. Somehow I was not notified of your reply.
And
thanks.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message


:

Did you create a brand new fax account from scratch after you
changed
modems, changed drivers, and installed conflicting software?

I am not sure what you mean by "conflicting software" (if you mean
snappy,
I
have uninstalled it), but yes, I have tried creating a new account.
Always
the same problem - when I try to tell WFS how to receive, it says
that
I
must
be connected to a modem, although under Fax Settings it says I have
a
modem
installed. The only way to create an account is postpone specifying
a
mode
of
reception. I suspect this has something to do with ports - WFS
should
allow
the user to tell it where the modem is. A similar thing happened
when I
installed Snappy. It recognized the modem on com3 during setup, but
when I
went to send a fax, it couldn't see the modem. It then asked me
where
it
was,
I told it com3, and it worked just fine.

--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
message
Well, I am upset. I downloaded Snappy Fax and it works just fine.
The
problem
is with WFS. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it, no help.

:

Richard
Ratner wrote:

I have made some progress.

Glad to hear that.

I suspect that this is the problem with WFS - it forgets where
the
modem
is when an account is being created.

Perhaps someone can help you on this aspect.