OL97: Outlook Fax Fails if Word Not Started Once Before

• Microsoft Outlook 97

SYMPTOMS

When sending a fax from Microsoft Outlook 97, when you click "Start Using Word Now" you may receive one of the following messages:

   Microsoft Word Err=1078
   This file could not be found.
   (C:\windows\spool\fax\message.rtf)

    -or-

   Microsoft Visual Basic
   This file could not be found.
   (C:\windows\spool\fax\message.rtf)
   End or Debug

• You installed the Microsoft Office 97 Enterprise Update on a computer that never had a previous version of Office 97 installed on it.
• The fax contains text formatted in a non-black color.
• Your Outlook Profile includes the Microsoft Fax service.
• Microsoft Word 97 has not been opened since it was installed.

RESOLUTION

Exit Outlook, start Word to clear its first-run condition status, then restart Outlook and resend your fax.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Outlook 97. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.