Joho the Blog
An Entry from the Archives

Do you fax often? you might consider an eFax account. Can transmit scanned images as faxes, pickup inbound faxes like email from anywhere you have internet access. Works pretty well for me. (No, I am not compensated to endorse eFax.) And yes, WinFax stinks. So does faxing via XP utility - it's actually hurt my pocket book.

WinFax Pro 10.03 CAN be made to work, but Symantec is hopeless. They blame the modem manufacturers, but the problems lie (sic) in the Symantec code. Of course, the additional issue is that if you have the even crappier V10.01 or V10.02, you have to pay Symantec $50 for an upgrade to the slightly-less-crappy v10.03.

As for faxing multi-page documents from a scanner: I like to use OmniPage Pro (v14 is current) for that. It, like most good scanner applications, can accept many pages, then you can export those pages as a single document (or do high-quality OCR on the document and past the finished result to WinFax).

Depends on your OS.

Win9x/2k users can use Windows Imaging (Kodak Imaging) to build multipage TIFs prior to faxing. Its easy! Scan a New Page, then under Edit, choose Append and From Scanner to add subsequent pages. Save the file before faxing, in case anything bad happens. If you don't have Windows (Kodak) Imaging, use Add/Remove Windows Components to install it.

If you've got WinXP, you can do one of two things: Buy a copy of Kodak Imaging, or Windows Imaging for Win2k. See this link for more info.

http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6270-5034679.html

will winfax pro 10.03 work for getting my faxes remotely at my email. I would like my faxes to come into my computer and forward to my e-mail so I can get them when I am away from home. I already have a fax number so I don't want to change number and use e-fax. any comments

There is a free WinFax support board at http://www.getfaxing.com
I would check it out if you have WinFax problems or questions.

I have been using Winfax for quite a while and I have a problem receiving faxes automatically. I have set the options for receiving automatically and also tried several different fax/modems in the market and also changed my operating system (Windows 98 & Windows XP with service pack 1 and 2)and still can't receive my faxes automatically. (I can receive them manually)

I am amazed that this piece of software is on the market.....I have spent the last 4 hours trying to load it only to get messages that I have a previous version on my computer...after going to the help page and following their instructions to the letter I am in exactly the same position. There is no back up phone number to call and I for one am taking this back to where I purchased it for a full as they say no questions asked REFUND....this programe just is not worth the trouble.

i want fux in my computer

Any suggestions how I get Winfax Pro 10.03 to "release" my modem after I receive a fax. It seems that Winfax holds the modem connection open and I can't use my e-mail or internet unless I exit from Winfax first. Thanks.

I have managed to use WinFax Pro v 8.0 for years with a great deal of swearing and only when I had to.
I have finally lost patience with it and now find I cannot delete it from my computer. (Win XP)
It keeps "loading" at start up even though I delete it from the Start Menu repeatedly and I can't get rid of it in Ctrl Panel, Add/Remove Programs nor can I find the @#&$-ng thing in Windows Explorer.
Any ideas, apart from chucking the whole computer in the bin?
PS. The original disc now no longer loads to uninstall it from there! I had thought a newer version might have got better, but after reading this blog I realise I am fooling myself. But I would like to be rid of it. Help.

And I thought is was just me. I have used Winfax for a number of years with Act2.0 thru 6.0. Sending single faxes is ok but if I try to mail merge fax. Ferget about it. I too have experienced all of ths problems mentioned. I also am amazed that a product like this that has been around for a long time still performs like a Beta. With the exception of McAffee, The winfax support is the worst I have encountered. What realy freaks me is one day the software works fine and the next, it make my computer act like there are gremlins in the registry. I'd love to find something else that will work with ACT

WinFax users can go to a support forum at
http://www.getfaxing.com for help. It has helped me a lot

I was about to buy winfax pro, but sounds like there id alot of negative experiences. Do you folks have programs you prefer that you can recommend?

I have, for a number of years, Symantec WINFAX PRO programme on my computer. I have used this programme to send and receive letters by fax. I was, however, with BT Internet/Telephone Service Providers. But when I changed my Internet Providers to Bulldog Broadband, I first experienced the problem. I could not send any letter by fax that I had on my computer. The Bulldog Internet Providers gave very poor service. So I changed over to Homechoice CableTV/Broadband/Telephone service. Still I cannot send out fax letters or receive any on my computer. I would like to find out what are the reasons for this failure? Could I have some directions and/or information, please.

I would like to add that I found your WINFAX PRO programme excellent when I was using BT telephone system. I am told that WINFAX PRO is not compatible with Homechoice system.

Madhu Trivedi

e-mail: madhutrivedi@homechoice.co.uk

I have used winfax for a number of years and only recently experienced problems with not being able to recieve automatically it keeps turning off after you close the program when it should stay running in the background winfax say the prog. will not be serviced after this year and that they suggest to go to Concord services for recieving faxs ( more money) they dont offer any other options they are phasing it out apparently or they want you to go to concord which is a pain in the rear for the 20 or so faxes I rec. fo rwork and 50 junk faxes. I have not tried getfaxing .com as the person says above but I do find the program good dbut I dont fax a lot and it keeps the paper level down as I dont do well with paper. Comments !questions ! yours Colm

Help!! Winfax Pro 10.0.. have 2 independent computors running Microsoft XP. We also have Symantect Norton updated automatically. For years Winfax worked kind of ok ( Bugs and all) BUT>>>>>>>>All of a sudden both Winfax Pro's wont accept any changes to the Ph. numbers or accept new ph number in the "properties" window. It still faxes but now we cant change or add ph numbers. Since both machines are not tied together, and both machines get Symantec updates for NORTON, did Symantec disable my Winfax 's by this update since they discountinued 10.0 in Nov 06 ( 3 weeks ago!!)
My Laptop that does not get Norton updates has Winfax and it still works.. humm?? Can anyone help us? We have 3000 ph numbers in this program!
Please !! anyone?

I've been using Winfax (Now V10.0) on a stand alone machine for years with minimal issues. Last week I did the Microsoft automatic updates without touching or changing any Winfax settings. I am recently back from a trade show and want to enter lots of information. However, now, when I go to my phonebook and bring up a recipient or add a new one, I can access the recipients last name, first name, Company and Misc records fine, but if I click the mouse anywhere on the lower part of the record, ie, fax number, phone number, cell number: my Winfax program disappears and I am starting at my windows boot up screen. I then have to double click the Winfax icon to bring it back up but the same thing will happen.

I have run all of the maintenance utilities such as rebuild phonebook, optimize phonebook, DB file repair, and restore default settings.

I have tried to reinstall Winfax over my old copy as well and when I do that, it appears to go well until I try and complete the install with "liveupdate" whereupon it connects to liveupdate fine, retrieves and loads all available data on the updates onto my computer fine, then , it hangs permantly on the :Disconnecting from the liveupdate server”, and I have to Ctrl/alt/delete to bring up task manager and exit the program manually as it shows as “not responding” regardless of how long I wait.

help?

Can anyone tell me how to remove winfax from my computer. It's messed up my email no end!

WinFax NO! 10.03

YIKES! i have no idea what this program is, how i got it or why i would ever use it (efax suits my faxing needs)!!?? but i DO know that it's cost me thousands of dollars by completely freezing my outlook (100% CPU usage) in the middle of the stinking workday!! timing is everything in my line of work and when it takes me half an hour to respond to an email, it can cost me thousands!

ok, i'm snivelling. but it's TOTALLY WHACK! i've tried EVERYTHING to fix this problem (which was a complete mystery until today), including slews of corrspondence and infinite conversations with Dell online, telephone and in-home support, 2 different independent IT/tech support service companies (who came over, spent hours, charged large, and fixed nada), verizon technitions, etc!

i've lost a lot of time and money, but most importantly i've lost what little was left of my mind. WinFax hath damaged my tender psyche.

ok, there IS something to be said for the rabbit-hole-esque journey through slap-happy oblivion into the state of mindlessness (compliments of the mysterious and demonic WinFax), but i can't afford this virtual equivilent to a very bad acid trip during my freakin workday!!

ya know what i mean?

well, i feel much better now that i've wasted all this time ranting. so my questions to anyone who might be kind enough to share:

- HOW DO I UNINSTALL THIS EVIL THANG? I CAN'T FIND THE PROGRAM ANYWHERE IN MY SYSTEM (I UNINSTALLED NORTON/SYMANTEC MONTHS AGO)

- AND IS THIS A RECENTLY DISCOVERED PROBLEM? BECAUSE I SEARCHED EVERYWHERE FOR ANSWERS ABOUT THIS AND WAS NEVER ENLIGHTENED TO THE FACT THAT SYMANTEC HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT!?

thanks in advance.

The solution to the problems with phonebooks and entering numbers is available in the forums at http://www.getfaxing.com

Same here....
I heard of a possible cause being the installation of Internet Explorer 7?
If so, what a pain!
Anybody found a fix??

Thanks

HELP- I too get Outlook 2003 freezing when accessing WinFax Pro 10.02 or 10.03 and i don't even know what or where this program is!!! Symantec says refer to the section that corresponds to your version of winfax but I can't find it????? Anyone got an answer?

I've been using Winfax (Now V10.0) for years with minimal issues. I did the Microsoft automatic updates without touching or changing any Winfax settings. However, now, when I go to my phonebook and bring up a recipient or add a new one, I can access the recipients last name, first name, Company and Misc records fine, but if I click the mouse anywhere on the lower part of the record, fax number, phone number, cell number: my Winfax program disappears. I then have to double click the Winfax icon to bring it back up but the same thing will happen.

Helo!
All I can say after reading still weeks of comments on WinFax Pro software is...WOW..I have read maybe two positive things about it. My few frustraations off my shoulders for you: I used WInFax Pro and updatd to 10.0 and used that for a few years with minimal problems well...it did work some of the time... I then had Wind XP but with a dial up connec. Now I've got Wind XP Pro with IE 7 and S Office Word 2003, and use Symantec's anti virus etc. etc. like most of you.
But I think since I went to Vonage and Comcast I've had problems even instaling; impossible. I tried to reinstall on a new pc and it won;t let me enter my phone data..of couse my number is different for it is Vonage now..each time I tried to enter the umbers the softwre disappeared form the screen...totaly wacke out. I uninstaled several times. It willnot let me reinstal for it detects an older version; Idon't have any version left! I found uninstall instructions adn teh folder damn it, won;t open for me. I will maybe use the forum yuo suggested. I need an operatinal fax system on here ASAP due to legal matters.
Tried to openteh Windows XP fax and had no luck; it said I needed to install my CD; screwed, really. Is nothing simple to do? OL Toss it out the window, yes, that woud be simple but since I'm obsessive compulsive and hang on to al my CDs etc. I haven't tried that one; it does seem a great all around fix, though for the plight of WinFax Pro any version! LOL
Wouldn't you love to know where the real bugs lie? Why does everyone say it costs $50.00 to upgrade frmo 10.0 to 10.3 by teh way, when you acn purcchase it for $29.00 anyplace but Symantec online? Efax, is that what you suggested? I will try togo to efax.com One last ? (Yes, you could take my comments as questions since they have no end). Can I operate a fax for free on this system without instaling a seperate fax machine; acn't afford one?? I am willing to buy fax doftwre but other than teh Efax recommended have not found any I can use without an additional phone line> I can't aford that. I do ahve a modem in teh new desktop; can I hook that up semohow to teh Vonage line? Or must I buy (I'm broke) aline from Vonage; if so where does teh software come from? I hope soemone acn email me with some help. I know we all need to vent but we need to find solutions. I like to fix problems not create them. I just had to let folks know I am in the same boat. I wonder if anyoen ever filed a class actin suit against Symantec? Jeez. All we have put up with. Feel free to email me. I often lose my way from forums I find. I like your forum; what a nice bunch of folks! Cher

symantec is no help. Have spent too much time looking for online help from them. After loading the program I continue to receive an error message that states, "cannot find WFXDLG.DLL. Ensure that the winfax executable files are part of the search path."

I've tried faxing by deleting my printer with no luck. I've reinstatlled my printer and again no luck.

Any help out there?

can WinFax pro 10.3 do multaple fax at once, and how can it be done? what other softwear dose this?

any ideas, I need to send bulk fax and i need to recive also to email....

Thanks
Tony

Information on removing Winfax manually from your computer can be found at Symantecs Site. Search for "Winfax uninstall" (no quotes).

Kai

For those asking how to uninstall WinFax Pro but say they've never heard of it or installed it in the first place, forget it. The message you get from Microsoft when you send the error report is a red herring. The problem with outlook 2003 freezing is a bug in office that was reported about a month ago but Microsoft are still investigating!

I am trying to add a printer into the winfax program. I cannot get the received faxes to auto print. I can manually print them using the installed printer but I cannot get to auto print. The test pages print fine. I believe you have to add the printer into the winfax program but I cannot remeber how. Help me please

Everytime I try to change a fax number in my Win Fax phone book the program shuts down...Help!!

I was searching for help with WFX and came across this blog. Symantec appears to have dropped WFX all together. It is no longer available for purchase and will not provide phone or chat support. I have my stories to tell about being a WFX user for years but it's all mooth now. I would think that Symantec would at least sell it off to another company instead of abandoning the product alltogether.

EFaxes are an alternative but not cost effective for those like me who sends only occassional faxes.

Mel

Same problem here in Winfax going blank and shutting down when entering new recipient info. Everything OK until you tab to enter phone number info.

While there are a number of problems cited above, does anyone have any solution? I've decided to move away from Winfax and look for another product. Any suggestions? - Bill

PEOPLE!!! I can't believe what I am reading!!! complaining about WinFax pro 8.0 on Windows XP??? You're kidding right? WinFax PRO 8.0 was designed for Windows 95!!!!

most if not all the problems you posted above can be resolved very easily! if you know how to read!

WinFax it sucketh big time!!! I think it has to be the worst program ever produced in the history of mankind! It is a product of Satan. I am looking to purchase new software called SmartFax Pro 2004..about $99.00..anyone ever heard of it? It is supposed to be integrated and compatible with Microsoft Outlook 2003. But before I put more demonic software on this sad old computer...I need to know if there are problems with it. So....I would appreciate any help to find out if SmartFax Pro 2004 is any good...or if it is not smart at all...but a dumb moron. Thanks! Hurry...please I need to send a fax! Barb

All I need to do is to attach a document, just 1 page, to send. I don't want to change programs because I have 200 names/fax numbers ready to fax to and the document has our customer logo that won't copy to one of their cover sheets or I'd go that route. All was working perfectly and then poof, no more attachment capability. I've placed my document everywhere but it still won't download. I think I need an upgrade but dammit, shouldn't have to pay for one if this is their issue in the first place.

Nan in Nevada

Upgrade to WinFax Pro 10.04 for free here:

http://service1.symantec.com/discuss/support/ols-clf.nsf/survey.html?OpenForm&docid=2004113014595304&cat=agreements

After answering yes to the question on this page there should be a download link and password. Download the zipped file and upon extraction the zip program will ask for the password.

And yes, it is a crappy program, but I can get it to work over our network using the fax sharing capabilities. You just have to put up with the quirks like how it adds your name and phone # to the address book a couple dozen times (which I have to delete on occasion) or the fact the backup/restore is sporadic. Oh yes, and the occasional lockup when a voice call comes into the fax line and you have to shutdown the fax server using task manager (or reboot possibly) and delete the incoming fax out of the inbox. I gave up trying to talk to Symantec about any of their products long ago. They have ruined every software company purchased especially Norton's which use to have top of the line diagnostic and antivirus tools.

From what I can tell it looks like Symantec doesn't off WinFax anymore. Perhaps someone in the know can enlighten us.

I've been using winfax for years also, and have had very few problems until about 6 months ago. I started having problems with winfax hanging when certain people were faxing to me. I would have to open task manager, close winfax and then restart. I was using winfax 10.0. I tried changing the modem, no help, I even switched to the xp fax program, no help. I read that winfax 10.3 was designed to work better with xp.....so i bought and installed that. Still no help....seems to be hanging even more now. I thought it was just that some faxes just don't play nice with computer fax programs, but after reading 'all the above', I guess i'm just hosed. I too have over 1000 fax numbers in winfax which would take forever to manually install in another program. Does anyone have a good program...that works....that will transfer the winfax phonebooks??

WinFax PRO hangs or shuts down
- during installation
- when prompting for a phone number/CSID
- editing a phonebook entry
- adding/editing an IP address, or setting up Host Sharing

The problem started occuring after installing Internet Explorer 7.

SOLUTION:

1. In CONTROL PANEL, Click on REGIONAL AND LANGUAGE OPTIONS

2. Click on the LANGUAGES Tab.

3. Under "TEXT SERVICES AND INPUT LANGUAGES" Click on the DETAILS button.

4. Click the ADVANCED Tab.

5. Under System Configuration, enable the option "Turn off advanced text services" (Put the CHECK mark in this box.)

6. Click OK.

7. Restart the computer and then try WinFax PRO / TalkWorks PRO again. Number entry should now work in WinFax.

8. Now go back to the control panel following the steps above and undo step 5, un-check the option "Turn off advanced text services."

If you can't uninstall Winfax there is a removal tool on the Symantec website at;
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039.

I've had to use it at least 4 times!

I've used Winfax for many years and had some dreadful problems. My most recent was when I installed it on a Windows XP machine.

My local computer shop said it should work fine on XP but it didn't! I recently read, on the Symantec website, that Winfax is not compatible with XP. Symantec offer a patch for XP users to overcome incompatibility problems but state that they will not be responsible if it screws up your computer - which it does, big time! I had to completely wipe the hard drive!

I've got WinFax installed on three W2000 machines and a W2000 server and everything is working OK - at the moment - but I need to upgrade our system to XP or Vista Business so I need to find new fax software.

From a functionality point of view it's got everything you could wish for and is very quick and easy to use. If only it didn't have all these technical problems it would be a great piece of software.

I just tried this last post to correct my phonebook editing problem and it worked. many thanks!!

The above solution was copied and pasted from GetFaxing.com. Please visit http://www.getfaxing.com WinFax PRO forums for more details on this fix noted above.

Help...I have WinFax 10.03 which, surprisingly after reading other comments, was working okay for me. It would not allow me to scan a document in to a fax, but that was okay for the most part. The big problem is that all of a sudden I cannot attach a file page to a fax. That use to work fine and now...nothing. No error message, just no page. Won't work under the attachment command button or drag & drop. Finds document, just doesn't load it to fax. Anyone know how to fix this?

Please could you help me as I have been having problems with my Winfax PRO 10.
For the last year I had no problems at all then all of a sudden I kept getting winfax windows popping up s the computer started up.Then when I removed it and reloaded it,the whole computer froze.
I was told that because of microsoft auto updates that this version is not now compatable with windows XP
I have ample memory and I been pleased with the product.Could you contact me as soonest.My telephone no is 01299896317 or is there a UK telephone number that I can contact.It is urgent as I use it for my buisness Many thanks

i have fox pro and when some faxes come in i get error cannot open the datafile:incorrect filename or thats it. i already tried to reinstall but no change

i have winfax pro 10.02 on a single computer w/xp home. i have 3 hp printers (laser, inkjet, and a combo printer/scanner/copier). i use the bundled "hp solution center" that came with the combo unit, to scan papers to send to the fax software. i can scan multiple papers before sending to fax, if necessary. i scan - accept - send to new fax. winfax opens and i fill in a cover page, if needed, and the whereto info and hit "send" - done! winfax automatically receives incoming faxes after 2nd ring and sends to default laser printer w/notification on my screen. no muss - no fuss for the last 3 - 5 years even after all the screwing around in my computer, adding/deleting other programs, adding/removing anti-virus & firewalls, rearranging, xp updating, upgrading, reconfiguring, and sometimes just picking the tower unit up and shaking the hell out of it, while its still running. no complaints.

yet....i do have a minor nuisance: when i set up winfax, i had 2 phone lines. i recently discontinued the dedicated phone line for my computer and credit card machine. i switched both over to the remaining line and everything still works normally. (this line is also my DSL). i am also changing my business (DBA) name.

my winfax program under Tools/Program Setup/User will not allow me to change my fax,(csid), phone number. when i try to highlight, delete or get near the old number the window just closes, but does not shut down winfax pro message manager.

it isn't much, but i would like my fax recipients to know the remote csid of their incoming faxes.

if someone has a suggestion, i'd appreciate it.

tom

I'VE USED WINFAX 9.0 FOR YEARS WITH MINIMAL PROBLEMS. I RECENTLY HAD A COMPUTER UPDATED TO XP PROFESSIONAL AND WHEN IT CAME BACK I INSTALLED WINFAX 10.3. THE ATTACHED FAXES COME IN WITH 80% CUTOFF. I RECENTLY INSTALLED LIVE ONE CARE BUT THAT'S IT. I INSTALLED WINFAX ON MY LAPTOP AND IT WORKS FINE (NO LIVE ONE CARE YET). DON'T WANT FAXES THERE....PLEASE HELP. IS THIS A MEMORY PROBLEM OR AN ANTI VIRUS PROGRAM DOING SOMETHING WEIRD?

When did Symantec stop offering Winfax? Its website is void of any mention.

"Any suggestions how I get Winfax Pro 10.03 to "release" my modem after I receive a fax. It seems that Winfax holds the modem connection open and I can't use my e-mail or internet unless I exit from Winfax first. Thanks."
I think winfax is a great piece of software it gets the job done for me... in order to release your fax line you gotta set auto-receive to disable(so right click on the winfax icon in blue and uncheck auto-receive then the blue should be gone and you can use your fax line... but once done put the auto-receive back on...

Has anyone ever heard of WinFax forwarding incoming faxes to the number of the last received fax? We've recieved a fax today from a supplier and ever since all of our incoming faxes have gone to the suplier and not us? Any help appreciated!

I have been running WinFax Pro 10.03 for years on an a peer to peer network, with 3 xp sp1 computers service pack 1). One of the computers is the fax server running 10.03 with sp1. Everything was working great until I decided to upgrade to sp2 on just one of the other computers. The computer with sp2 could not access the fax server. On the sp2 computer I upgraded to version WinFax Pro 10.04 and everything works just great. I added a new XP sp2 as the fax server and nothing works. Help would be much appreciated. I tried working withthe firewall and no success.

I'm tring to use my WinFax Pro 10.03.
I can send faxes OK, but I can't receive any.
I tried everything - reinstalling as well.
Anybody fixed this kind of problem?
Please help.

i have winfax 10.04 and windows xp
when i try to insert file...i see a little note that tell me its print and i see in the bar "launching microsoft word..."
then i see in the bar "ready" but nothing insert. there is no file. its empty.
can someone help me with this problem?

Since winfax is gone is there any other fax software that works well with ACT for bulk faxing?

Skip from Texas

I just fixed this exact problem. Symantec has a solution that worked for me. http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/faxprod.nsf/docid/2004071911425704

To all reading this post (great idea) I can only say one thing ...

STAY AWAY form anything that comes from SYMANTEC!
I just wonder how they manage to escape jail?

Symanrec (symantec)has been buying up software for several years. WinFax was one, norton utilities was another. It seems that whatever Symantec touches goes through the crapper.

I supposedly downloaded an update for my intel modem. I see an icon on my desktop ( an executable file) but I can't find the file anywhere.
can I assume that the file has been executed and the intel modem updated?

Harvey

I currently have winfax pro 10.02 and would like to upgrade to 10.03 and then to 10.04.
This program has been a pain since I have upgraded my computer. I am running XP pro.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank's

Solved WinFax PRO problems at http://www.getfaxing.com - click on the Support forums link for Winfax pro

Winfax does not add itself as a printer using Visat. When I go to print to Winfax its not listed as a printer. Can someone help?

I had to get my computer worked on to remove worms and other things. when it came back winfax worked untill today. it will not open what should i do.
help