Error message when you try to use the Windows Fax and Scan feature to send a fax in Windows Vista: “The message could not be sent. An error has occurred.”

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SYMPTOMS

When you try to use the Windows Fax and Scan feature to send a fax in Windows Vista, you cannot send the fax. Additionally, you receive the following error message:

The message could not be sent. An error has occurred.

This problem occurs when the fax contains a compressed file with a .zip file name extension as an attachment.

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This issue occurs because the files in the .zip file are temporarily extracted when you open the .zip file. The temporarily extracted files are not actually saved on the hard disk. The Windows Fax and Scan feature cannot convert the format of these files to a faxable format.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, attach the files that you want to fax in an unzipped format.

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MORE INFORMATION

Steps to reproduce the problem

Click Start
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, click All Programs, and then click Windows Fax and Scan.
At the bottom of the navigation pane, click Fax.
On the toolbar, click New Fax.

Note If you are connecting to a fax device for the first time, follow the instructions in the Fax Setup Wizard to connect to the fax device. A fax device can be a fax modem or a fax server.
Add the addressing information, the subject, and a cover page as required.
Attach a .zip file to the fax, and then click Send.