I get an error message "Microsoft Shared Fax Driver" is not installed.

Question

I was able to select "Fax" from the printer list, and go through the Fax Wizard to send a document from my computer. Now the document goes to the queue, but is not sent. The only message I get is that the Microsoft Shared Fax Driver is not installed.

Help.

Original title: My PC running XP says that the "Microsoft Shared Fax Driver" is not installed. It was, and it used to work. Where can I get the driver and is there any special process to install it?

Answer 1

Hi Gordon1937,

Have you made any changes on the computer?

Method 1-

I would have you refer the articles-

**How to enable and configure the fax service in Windows XP**

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**How To Add Components and Programs to a Computer in Windows XP**

Method 2-

You need to perform a System Restore to undo the changes made on your computer.

Refer the article-

**How to restore Windows XP to a previous state**

Note: Performing a System Restore will undo any changes made on your computer earlier. You may also lose unsaved information as well. Proceed at your own risk.

Hope this helps!!

Answer 2

(I think it may have gotten turned off when MS unsuccessfully tried to tune up my computer).

It's good that you got your fax problem sorted, but out of curiosity, what do you mean by the above statement?  Exactly who "tuned up" your computer and how did they go about doing it? Did you pay for this service?

Most "computer tune ups" are unnecessary and may in fact damage your installation of Windows.  See the following from long-time MS-MVP PA Bear:

If you ever think your Registry needs to be cleaned, repaired, boosted, tuned-up, cured, tweaked, fixed, or optimized (it doesn't), read http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 and draw your own conclusions.

Also see http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovich/archive/2005/10/02/registry-junk-a-windows-fact-of-life.aspx

---

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

Answer 3

Hi Gordon1937,

 

Have you made any changes on the computer?

 

Method 1-

I would have you refer the articles-

**How to enable and configure the fax service in Windows XP**

---

**How To Add Components and Programs to a Computer in Windows XP**

Method 2-

 

You need to perform a System Restore to undo the changes made on your computer.

Refer the article-

**How to restore Windows XP to a previous state**

Note: Performing a System Restore will undo any changes made on your computer earlier. You may also lose unsaved information as well. Proceed at your own risk.

 

Hope this helps!!

 

It turned out, after trying many things, that the primary solution was to go to services.msc and enable the Telephony service and then to start it (I think it may have gotten turned off when MS unsuccessfully tried to tune up my computer). If I had not had another utility that used my modem I would never have known that the TAPI service didn't start.However, I still have a related problem described in another message here.

Answer 4

Hi,

 

Refer the following article:

 

http://www.realgeek.com/forums/how-to-install-microsoft-shared-fax-driver-296165.html 

I'm afraid that article didn't help me solve my problem, but maybe I didn't give you enough information. I'm running Windows XP Home edition provided by Dell.

When I select "Fax" from the "Printer and Fax" list, then right click and select "Properties," I get a message that says it can't connect to the fax. Then I get another message that says, "The 'Microsoft Shared Fax Driver' printer driver is not installed. Would you like to install it now?"

I select "Yes" and then it starts the install wizard that asks for the location of the necessary file. 

Can you please tell me the name of the file and help me find the file that Windows is looking for?

Answer 5

Hi,

Refer the following article:

http://www.realgeek.com/forums/how-to-install-microsoft-shared-fax-driver-296165.html