The fax can't be sent because of an unexpected error

[Stephen Charles Thompson]

When I try to send a fax using Windows Fax and Scan I get an error message,
"The fax can't be sent because of an unexpected error". This happens whether
I print to the virtual Fax printer or create a New Fax from within the
Windows Fax and Scan application. After selecting a Message Recipient and
clicking Send there is a delay. During this delay the modem picks up and
drops the phone line several times. After the delay I get a pop-up window
that says:

Windows Fax and Scan (window title)
Review fax status (View details dialog)
"The fax can't be sent because of an unexpected error"

When I select the document in the Outbox to examine its properties I see the
following lines:

Status: Retrying
Extended status : Fatal error

Eventually the application gives the error message:

"The fax could not be sent after the maximum number of dialing attempts was
completed".

My question is how do I resolve this error so that Windows Fax and Scan will
send faxes using my modem. What is preventing Windows Fax and Scan from
sending faxes? A deeper question would be why can't Windows Fax and Scan
determine the cause of the problem. Why is the problem an unexpected error?


Background

I have already set up the Fax Settings to allow the device to Send faxes. A
device has been selected, which is my Conexant USB D400 modem. The modem
Query Modem responds with success in Diagnostics. An identical (make &
model) replacement fails to resolve the issue. The modem picks up and dials
successfully when using manual commands (ATH1H0). A Local Fax (default) Fax
Account has already been created. A Location profile has already been
created. No Dialing rules have been specified as none are required. This is
a standard residential telephone line. The disable call waiting radio button
has been selected and a string has been chosen. I have already tried
toggling the Wait for dial tone setting in Modem Dial Control in Modem
Properties; eithr setting gave the same results.

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

You always start this troubleshooting by verifying that your modem is on the
VHCL. WFS is incompatible with many modems.

 

[Stephen Charles Thompson]

Russ,

Even though the model is not listed on the Vista Hardware Compatibility List
website the driver is signed by microsoft windows hardware compatibility
publisher.

Your suspicion of the hardware is warranted though.

After pressing Dell, I downloaded and installed an updated BIOS. I then
downlaoded and reinstalled the Intel chipset and modem drivers. Even though
the drivers were the same version as the previous, the size of the modem
driver file was a different (by less than 1 Kb).

After applying these patches Windows Fax and Scan now works OK.

The answer to the deeper question of why Windows cannot determine the cause
of the error is because it was driver-related. Microsoft relies on
manufacturers to develop and submit their own device drivers. Windows uses
these drivers to use and diagnose the device hardware. If the driver or
hardware is faulty then Windows cannot properly use or diagnose the device.

For those of you experiencing this problem, try downloading and re-instaling
the related device drivers even if the device and/or driver is Vista
compatible.

Thanks for the suggestion!