FAX in Vista Home Premium

[Guest]

I contacted Dell support and was told that Windows Vista Premium does not
have fax software. I checked the internet for third party software that is
supposed to work with Vista and found "RKS fax"at
http://www.rkssoftware.com/rksfax/overview.html
I don't know how well it works not having tried it yet. Anybody tried it
out who would care to comment on it?

 

[mb]

And I'd like to point out:

The specs say "Windows Fax and Scan" is not available in the home edition.
What IS "Windows Fax and Scan"? The description says that it "makes faxing
easier". It does NOT say that faxing doesn't work without it.

The argument "you should have read the specs" presumes that somewhere the
specs say "you will not be able to fax with the Home edition".

I understand your point and am sympathetic. It seems to me, however, that
the decision to upgrade one's entire OS needs to be made more carefully and
thoughtfully than it often is. The feature set comparison among Vista
versions is not hard to find. The fact that fax is absent in Vista Home
versions is well documented on Microsoft's own site as well:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/footnotes.mspx
In reality modem faxing is a feature that is used so little by most users
that it was nearly eliminated entirely from both Windows XP and Vista. To my
surprise, the Vista Fax module is the most useful and robust of any of the
Microsoft Fax offerings so far. How reliable it is remains to be seen now
that it has been released in the wild.
For users like Susan who unwittingly leapt to Vista Home expecting it still
to have fax capabilities, they can still purchase a standalone fax machine
for less than the cost differential between Vista Home and Ultimate.
Caveat emptor.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I'm gonna have to side with Susan on this one. Lots of people here are
quick to point out that fax isn't included with the Home Premium edition
by pointing out the link, or say "you should have read the features before
you bought it" but likely these are the same people that didn't even know
fax was included in Windows XP and Windows 2000.

Even Bill Gates said most people are going to buy Home Premium...not
Business and not Ultimate. Its the average person that uses the built in
fax in Windows to send the occasional fax. By removing this, they are
pissing off a lot of Home Premium customers expecting that Windows Vista
Home Premium is going to do everything Windows XP did, only better.

It's detailed in the Windows Vista Product guide, which tells you
everything you ever wanted to know about Vista - a large but free
download from Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...bf-4823-4a12-afe1-5b40b2ad3725&DisplayLang=en
Here is the comparison we reference from CNET:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3672_7-6687907-1.html
Note the 3rd entry in the table from the bottom.

Susan wrote:
guys, please stop. I came to ask a question, perhaps find a solution
from another party and I get only attitude. Is this a community area for
regular windows users to ask questions and hopefully get some decent
advise or is this only for professional types who follow software
development? I haven't been following the development of Vista for a
year, nor do I feel that I have to. Microsoft has a long standing goal
of selling operating systems that everyone can use, and I believe I am
in the group of everyone. I am not whining. Can you tell me where on
the Vista box it says no fax? I also don't see it on the side by side
comparison that is designed to help people make a choice. I'm not seeing
it. Also, I upgraded from XP home and the problem is with Vista not
working with the fax software that worked with XP. I have a Dell
XPS--only five months old, but I'm sure a patch is forthcoming. "bjr"
wrote:

You should have read the list of features in each version before you
buy. That info has been available for about a year. The fax has NEVER
been part of Premium, only Ultimate and Business.
If fax software came with your modem, try installing that. Otherwise,
stop whining and go buy some fax software. There are many to choose
from.

Susan wrote:
Russ, sorry I'm not as astute as you are. Your reply however, is not
helpful. A slap on the wrist might make some feel superior, but
without any concrete suggestions to add to the string, is nothing more
than a slap on the wrist, best to keep the chastising to yourself - it
makes you sound smug.
The bottom line is that the program is lacking a fundamental
communications tool and without user input the developers will not
know what areas need to be addressed and included in future service
packs.
:

Normally when making a purchase one looks at the features needed and
purchases the appropriate version to meet one's needs. This
information is all well documented.
You can still view your old faxes quite readily. TIF files open in
Windows Photo Gallery.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
You have got to be kidding. I have vista home premium but I still
need to
send and receive faxes!!!! I had this capability with XP, and I am
very upset
that it is not available with Vista which I just installed yesterday
Feb 3.
Does Microsoft believe that home users never receive or send faxes?
What are
my options? How am I to view the faxes I have saved in my documents?
I
urgently need to have this capability on my computer and I am sure I
am not
alone in this need.

:

It's doubtful, Microsoft, as far as i know, haven't supplied the
fax
software as a separate item for other versions of Windows operating
systems.

You may have to look at third party fax applications for this one.
Alternatively you would have to look to buying Vista Business or
Ultimate
instead of Premium.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty
of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the
accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be
liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising
out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in
this
mail/post..

Thanks John. Do you suppose it might be available as a separate
download
sometime for the other versions of Vista?

Fax facility is only available in Vista Business, Enterprise and
Ultimate.

Word 2007 provides plenty of fax cover templates but still
relies, as far
as i know, on the fax software of Vista Business, Enterprise and
Ultimate. It doesn't contain a fax application on its own.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No
warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the
accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be
liable
for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages
arising out
of the use of, or inability to use, information or opinions
expressed in
this mail/post..

Will some form of FAXing and scanning be available in the Home
Premium
edition or only in the business edition.

I have need for both of these features but do not want the
business
edition.

Maybe they are available in the Office 2007 standard suite?

Thanks in advance. Bob.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

It is all very clear when you read the fine print.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

And I'd like to point out:

The specs say "Windows Fax and Scan" is not available in the home edition.
What IS "Windows Fax and Scan"? The description says that it "makes faxing
easier". It does NOT say that faxing doesn't work without it.

The argument "you should have read the specs" presumes that somewhere the
specs say "you will not be able to fax with the Home edition".

I understand your point and am sympathetic. It seems to me, however, that
the decision to upgrade one's entire OS needs to be made more carefully
and
thoughtfully than it often is. The feature set comparison among Vista
versions is not hard to find. The fact that fax is absent in Vista Home
versions is well documented on Microsoft's own site as well:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/footnotes.mspx
In reality modem faxing is a feature that is used so little by most users
that it was nearly eliminated entirely from both Windows XP and Vista. To
my
surprise, the Vista Fax module is the most useful and robust of any of
the
Microsoft Fax offerings so far. How reliable it is remains to be seen now
that it has been released in the wild.
For users like Susan who unwittingly leapt to Vista Home expecting it
still
to have fax capabilities, they can still purchase a standalone fax
machine
for less than the cost differential between Vista Home and Ultimate.
Caveat emptor.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I'm gonna have to side with Susan on this one. Lots of people here are
quick to point out that fax isn't included with the Home Premium
edition
by pointing out the link, or say "you should have read the features
before
you bought it" but likely these are the same people that didn't even
know
fax was included in Windows XP and Windows 2000.

Even Bill Gates said most people are going to buy Home Premium...not
Business and not Ultimate. Its the average person that uses the built
in
fax in Windows to send the occasional fax. By removing this, they are
pissing off a lot of Home Premium customers expecting that Windows
Vista
Home Premium is going to do everything Windows XP did, only better.



It's detailed in the Windows Vista Product guide, which tells you
everything you ever wanted to know about Vista - a large but free
download from Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...bf-4823-4a12-afe1-5b40b2ad3725&DisplayLang=en
Here is the comparison we reference from CNET:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3672_7-6687907-1.html
Note the 3rd entry in the table from the bottom.

Susan wrote:
guys, please stop. I came to ask a question, perhaps find a solution
from another party and I get only attitude. Is this a community area
for
regular windows users to ask questions and hopefully get some decent
advise or is this only for professional types who follow software
development? I haven't been following the development of Vista for a
year, nor do I feel that I have to. Microsoft has a long standing
goal
of selling operating systems that everyone can use, and I believe I
am
in the group of everyone. I am not whining. Can you tell me where on
the Vista box it says no fax? I also don't see it on the side by side
comparison that is designed to help people make a choice. I'm not
seeing
it. Also, I upgraded from XP home and the problem is with Vista not
working with the fax software that worked with XP. I have a Dell
XPS--only five months old, but I'm sure a patch is forthcoming. "bjr"
wrote:

You should have read the list of features in each version before you
buy. That info has been available for about a year. The fax has
NEVER
been part of Premium, only Ultimate and Business.
If fax software came with your modem, try installing that.
Otherwise,
stop whining and go buy some fax software. There are many to choose
from.

Susan wrote:
Russ, sorry I'm not as astute as you are. Your reply however, is
not
helpful. A slap on the wrist might make some feel superior, but
without any concrete suggestions to add to the string, is nothing
more
than a slap on the wrist, best to keep the chastising to yourself -
it
makes you sound smug.
The bottom line is that the program is lacking a fundamental
communications tool and without user input the developers will not
know what areas need to be addressed and included in future service
packs.
:

Normally when making a purchase one looks at the features needed
and
purchases the appropriate version to meet one's needs. This
information is all well documented.
You can still view your old faxes quite readily. TIF files open in
Windows Photo Gallery.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
You have got to be kidding. I have vista home premium but I still
need to
send and receive faxes!!!! I had this capability with XP, and I
am
very upset
that it is not available with Vista which I just installed
yesterday
Feb 3.
Does Microsoft believe that home users never receive or send
faxes?
What are
my options? How am I to view the faxes I have saved in my
documents?
I
urgently need to have this capability on my computer and I am
sure I
am not
alone in this need.

:

It's doubtful, Microsoft, as far as i know, haven't supplied the
fax
software as a separate item for other versions of Windows
operating
systems.

You may have to look at third party fax applications for this
one.
Alternatively you would have to look to buying Vista Business or
Ultimate
instead of Premium.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No
warranty
of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the
accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not
be
liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages
arising
out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed
in
this
mail/post..

Thanks John. Do you suppose it might be available as a separate
download
sometime for the other versions of Vista?

message
Fax facility is only available in Vista Business, Enterprise
and
Ultimate.

Word 2007 provides plenty of fax cover templates but still
relies, as far
as i know, on the fax software of Vista Business, Enterprise
and
Ultimate. It doesn't contain a fax application on its own.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No
warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the
accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not
be
liable
for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages
arising out
of the use of, or inability to use, information or opinions
expressed in
this mail/post..

Will some form of FAXing and scanning be available in the
Home
Premium
edition or only in the business edition.

I have need for both of these features but do not want the
business
edition.

Maybe they are available in the Office 2007 standard suite?

Thanks in advance. Bob.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

FWIW: I also was _extremely_disappointed_ to see that MS did not include
a simple fax program in Home Premium. Faxing with XP kept me paperless.
Now I am using an AIO printer for faxes. Why? For the same reason I have
to use a USB mouse instead of my wireless mouse: too many programs and
peripheals *-DON'T work with Vista-*. Hard to believe it's been out for
a year... Just my opinion... It sure would be nice to see a "simple" fax
program (like the one in XP) come out in a Vista SP like Windows Movie
Maker did for XP.

Snappy Fax works well apparently.. cheap too..

http://www.snappysoftware.com/

Most complained about Windows Fax in earlier Windows and either used BVRP or
WinFax Pro..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Josef Meier]

We use Aloaha FAX Suite (www.aloaha.com) and are pretty happy with that!

And I'd like to point out:

The specs say "Windows Fax and Scan" is not available in the home edition.
What IS "Windows Fax and Scan"? The description says that it "makes faxing
easier". It does NOT say that faxing doesn't work without it.

The argument "you should have read the specs" presumes that somewhere the
specs say "you will not be able to fax with the Home edition".

I understand your point and am sympathetic. It seems to me, however, that
the decision to upgrade one's entire OS needs to be made more carefully
and
thoughtfully than it often is. The feature set comparison among Vista
versions is not hard to find. The fact that fax is absent in Vista Home
versions is well documented on Microsoft's own site as well:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/footnotes.mspx
In reality modem faxing is a feature that is used so little by most users
that it was nearly eliminated entirely from both Windows XP and Vista. To
my
surprise, the Vista Fax module is the most useful and robust of any of
the
Microsoft Fax offerings so far. How reliable it is remains to be seen now
that it has been released in the wild.
For users like Susan who unwittingly leapt to Vista Home expecting it
still
to have fax capabilities, they can still purchase a standalone fax
machine
for less than the cost differential between Vista Home and Ultimate.
Caveat emptor.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]

I'm gonna have to side with Susan on this one. Lots of people here are
quick to point out that fax isn't included with the Home Premium
edition
by pointing out the link, or say "you should have read the features
before
you bought it" but likely these are the same people that didn't even
know
fax was included in Windows XP and Windows 2000.

Even Bill Gates said most people are going to buy Home Premium...not
Business and not Ultimate. Its the average person that uses the built
in
fax in Windows to send the occasional fax. By removing this, they are
pissing off a lot of Home Premium customers expecting that Windows
Vista
Home Premium is going to do everything Windows XP did, only better.



It's detailed in the Windows Vista Product guide, which tells you
everything you ever wanted to know about Vista - a large but free
download from Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...bf-4823-4a12-afe1-5b40b2ad3725&DisplayLang=en
Here is the comparison we reference from CNET:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3672_7-6687907-1.html
Note the 3rd entry in the table from the bottom.

Susan wrote:
guys, please stop. I came to ask a question, perhaps find a solution
from another party and I get only attitude. Is this a community area
for
regular windows users to ask questions and hopefully get some decent
advise or is this only for professional types who follow software
development? I haven't been following the development of Vista for a
year, nor do I feel that I have to. Microsoft has a long standing
goal
of selling operating systems that everyone can use, and I believe I
am
in the group of everyone. I am not whining. Can you tell me where on
the Vista box it says no fax? I also don't see it on the side by side
comparison that is designed to help people make a choice. I'm not
seeing
it. Also, I upgraded from XP home and the problem is with Vista not
working with the fax software that worked with XP. I have a Dell
XPS--only five months old, but I'm sure a patch is forthcoming. "bjr"
wrote:

You should have read the list of features in each version before you
buy. That info has been available for about a year. The fax has
NEVER
been part of Premium, only Ultimate and Business.
If fax software came with your modem, try installing that.
Otherwise,
stop whining and go buy some fax software. There are many to choose
from.

Susan wrote:
Russ, sorry I'm not as astute as you are. Your reply however, is
not
helpful. A slap on the wrist might make some feel superior, but
without any concrete suggestions to add to the string, is nothing
more
than a slap on the wrist, best to keep the chastising to yourself -
it
makes you sound smug.
The bottom line is that the program is lacking a fundamental
communications tool and without user input the developers will not
know what areas need to be addressed and included in future service
packs.
:

Normally when making a purchase one looks at the features needed
and
purchases the appropriate version to meet one's needs. This
information is all well documented.
You can still view your old faxes quite readily. TIF files open in
Windows Photo Gallery.
--
Russ Valentine
[MVP-Outlook]
You have got to be kidding. I have vista home premium but I still
need to
send and receive faxes!!!! I had this capability with XP, and I
am
very upset
that it is not available with Vista which I just installed
yesterday
Feb 3.
Does Microsoft believe that home users never receive or send
faxes?
What are
my options? How am I to view the faxes I have saved in my
documents?
I
urgently need to have this capability on my computer and I am
sure I
am not
alone in this need.

:

It's doubtful, Microsoft, as far as i know, haven't supplied the
fax
software as a separate item for other versions of Windows
operating
systems.

You may have to look at third party fax applications for this
one.
Alternatively you would have to look to buying Vista Business or
Ultimate
instead of Premium.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No
warranty
of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the
accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not
be
liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages
arising
out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed
in
this
mail/post..

Thanks John. Do you suppose it might be available as a separate
download
sometime for the other versions of Vista?

message
Fax facility is only available in Vista Business, Enterprise
and
Ultimate.

Word 2007 provides plenty of fax cover templates but still
relies, as far
as i know, on the fax software of Vista Business, Enterprise
and
Ultimate. It doesn't contain a fax application on its own.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No
warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the
accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not
be
liable
for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages
arising out
of the use of, or inability to use, information or opinions
expressed in
this mail/post..

Will some form of FAXing and scanning be available in the
Home
Premium
edition or only in the business edition.

I have need for both of these features but do not want the
business
edition.

Maybe they are available in the Office 2007 standard suite?

Thanks in advance. Bob.