Windows 7: Windows Fax and Scan issue

pearlyshells · 29 Apr 2011

Windows 7 Pro computer with WFS. When we try to fax, we this message.

Windows can't fax or preview the attached file type. Try installing a program that allows you to print .tif files, save the attached file as a .tif file, and then try again.

Should I try to change the file format to JPG? I don't want to install a program.

A Guy · 30 Apr 2011

Actually, I think you want to make sure it's saved as a .tif file:

Quote:

Windows Fax and Scan converts file attachments to TIFF images (files with names ending in the .tiff file extension) so they can be received by any fax device. If your recipient uses a standalone fax device—a device that's not connected to a computer—each page of the fax, including the attached file, will be printed in order when the fax is received. If your recipient uses Windows Fax and Scan or another fax program, your fax will be received as a TIFF file that can be viewed on screen and, depending on the program, printed or managed like any other file on the computer.

A Guy

pearlyshells · 30 Apr 2011

I am confused. We have several employees using WFS. All have access to the central share where the PDF files exist. Only a few are having this problem. The rest are able to click a PDF file to fax, select the fax server and successfully fax the document. If I understand the attached file correctly, all WFS fax documents must first be converted to TIF before they can be faxed. From what I'm seeing at the job with our employees, this means that those who are successful have some program that auto converts the PDF file for WFS,correct? The others do not?

A Guy · 30 Apr 2011

I don't use it myself, but I found this:

Quote:

When you fax a document, the fax service searches for the document type that is attached to the fax message. Then, the Fax service calls the print to verb for that document type.

If the call to the print to verb is successful, the Fax service generates a Tagged Image File Format (.tif) output file to represent the document that is attached to the fax message. Probably the document you are sending doesn’t support the print to verb and hence this may be happening.

Convert the files to Tagged Image File (.tif) Format before you attach the document to the fax message. Also, check if the issue occurs with all PDF files.

Refer:

Faxing: frequently asked questions

I also see people reporting that error on one PC, and not another. The suggestion is

Quote:

the document may not support the print to verb and hence this may be happening.

Convert the files to Tagged Image File (.tif) Format before you attach the document to the fax message. Also, check if the issue occurs with all PDF files.

Why the difference between the PC's on the same network, I cannot say. You might experiment and see if it is all pdf files, or if the exact same pdf file works on some, but not others. Hopefully another member will be along with a suggestion. I will see if anyone can add some thoughts. A Guy

Irene · 01 May 2011

My guess would be that it's an Adobe issue.

May be worth checking the version of the successful Users with that of those who are experiencing problems.

Irene · 03 May 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Irene

My guess would be that it's an Adobe issue.
May be worth checking the version of the successful Users with that of those who are experiencing problems.

Any results?

pearlyshells · 04 May 2011

For some, when the file was converted to Tif , works. Others, did not. Very interesting.

Relativity · 06 May 2011

Try typing ASSOC .PDF (or the extension of the file you are faxing) at a command prompt to determine if you have an association set for that specific file

if an association exists, you'll get a <.ext>=XXXXXX result.

then type FTYPE followed by the XXXXXX returned above.

this will display the executable that is run for type of file you are faxing

compare with the working and non-working PCs.

example:

ASSOC .TXT
.txt=txtfile

FTYPE txtfile
txtfile=%SystemRoot%\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE %1

c627627 · 30 Jan 2013

Source: Windows can't fax or preview the attached file type - Problems with Windows FAX - Overclockers Forums

The fie type you are trying to Fax no longer has the printto command associated with it.

I used this freeware:
Types

Let's say you can't fax a .jpg file.

1. Open the freeware program and type inside it jpg
This will automatically scroll down the list of extensions to jpg.

2. Double click on jpg to open its options.

3. Actions TAB

4. Next to green + type in
printto

5. Click on green +

6. Select newly added printto

7. Next to yellow folder icon paste this
rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\shimgvw.dll,ImageView_PrintTo /pt "%1" "%2" "%3" "%4"

Exit program.

Repeat for all file types you are having problems faxing.

.bmp .gif .giff .jpe .jpeg .jpg .pbm .png .tif .tiff
.pdf .doc .xls

A Guy · 30 Jan 2013

Nice addition c627627

A Guy

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