Word for Windows 95: Problems Merging to Fax

• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

When you perform a mail merge to fax, one of the following problems occur:

• The computer appears to hang and there is no output

  -or-

• The following error messages appears:

       Microsoft Word Error=1177
       The document name or path is not valid:
       (C:\WINDOWS\SPOOL\FAX\...\FILENAME)
  

CAUSE

One of the choices during the fax process is to send the fax "As Attachment." This option is designed to allow the document being merged to retain its formatting (font, size, graphics, and so forth). When using this option, the fax-rendering system will "time-out" after the second record. When the time-out occurs, the fax system deletes the document that Word expects to find and use during the merge process. The result is that the merge process is unsuccessful.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Word for Windows 95, version 7.0. This was fixed in Word for Windows 95, version 7.0a (See Q145523 for List of Fixed Bugs in Word 7.0a for Windows 95)

WORKAROUND

Method 1: Do not use the Send As Attachment option. By not selecting this

          option, the records will merge with plain text formatting, but
          all records will fax successfully.

          time. For example, merge records 1 and 2, then 3 and 4, and so
          on.

MORE INFORMATION

Depending on the configuration of the modem being used, the complexity of the main document, and possible other factors, additional symptoms may be seen in the merge process. Symptoms that have been reported include:

• Clicking OK at the error screen and the fax finishing successfully.
• Faxes collecting in the Exchange Outbox for a long period of time (30 minutes) and then being reported as undeliverable by Exchange.
• Faxes immediately being reported as undeliverable.
• The Exchange dialog box for "Preparing Fax Format" being displayed for a long time.
• The Confirm Conversions dialog box being displayed as the spool file is opened.