• Fax from any application by clicking Print and selecting the FaxTalk printer driver.
• Scan pages directly from your scanner.
• Supports Super G3 Fax speeds with compatible Class 2.1 hardware.
• Import WinFax PRO faxes and contacts/phonebooks (See Notes below) (*does not import WinFax cover pages)
• Produce professional looking faxes with full preview and annotation.
• Cover Sheet Designer with 9 included pre-designed cover sheets.
• Access Microsoft Outlook (Outlook 2010 32 bit edition) contacts directly when sending faxes.
• Forward received faxes by email. (as PDF, TIFF or proprietary .FAX format)
• Operates as a network fax client for FaxTalk Multiline Server (for FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro or FaxTalk Messenger Pro)
• Broadcast faxes to fax numbers and email addresses.
• Fax Merge (personalize multiple faxes automatically) with Microsoft Word using optional FaxTalk Fax Merge software add-on.
• Fax Merge compatibility with ACT! 2008, ACT! 2009, ACT! 2010 and ACT! 2011 using optional add-on called FaxAdmin.
• Block the reception of unwanted junk faxes.
• Developer Fax SDK to integrate FaxTalk with your custom software application. (Programming experience required)
• Voice mail and Fax back capability with a compatible voice modem using FaxTalk Messenger Pro or FaxTalk Multiline Server software.

Importing WinFax data into FaxTalk

One of the nice features of FaxTalk is the ability to import existing WinFax PRO logs and phonebooks/contacts into FaxTalk.  Logs (the Send Log, Receive Log and any other message stores/sub folders you created in WinFax PRO) can be imported into FaxTalk and the fax images are automatically converted to a format that can be used in FaxTalk.  Logs that are imported are stored in a folder in FaxTalk called the File Cabinet.  The File Cabinet works like the Attachments folder in WinFax.   FaxTalk cannot import WinFax archive (.WFA) backups, so to be able to import you need to have WinFax PRO on the same system and it must be installed before you can perform the import in FaxTalk.  This can pose a problem if your old computer has WinFax, and your new computer is Windows 7 (or another operating system) with FaxTalk installed.  Fortunately, there is a workaround for this.   You can install a trial version of FaxTalk on the older computer, and then perform the import into the trial version of FaxTalk.  Once the import is completed, you can then save a backup using the FaxTalk Backup option.  Performing a backup creates an archive file with a .FTA extension.  You can then copy this .FTA file created from the trial version to the new computer.  At the new computer, you perform a restore (using the FaxTalk Backup Tool) and point to the .FTA file.  to restore the phonebooks and logs. 

Fax Blast using FaxTalk Fax Merge for Microsoft Word

If you need to send multiple faxes with personalized information on each fax, you need the FaxTalk Fax Merge for Microsoft Word. This allows you to use your contact database to send personalized faxes easily. Automate your faxing from Microsoft Word™ and FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro, FaxTalk Messenger Pro or FaxTalk Multiline Server. Fax broadcast from your Windows desktop by using the power of FaxTalk Fax Messenger and the FaxTalk Merge Macro for Microsoft Word. You can send faxes directly from Microsoft Word by clicking an icon. Select your prepared mail merge document with a data source, click on Send a Fax merge, select your recipients & optional cover sheet and click Merge. Send a few faxes or thousands of faxes, directly from Microsoft Word.

The FaxTalk Fax Merge is available separately as an add-on, or can be bundled together with the FaxTalk product of your choice at a discounted price.

Bundle with the FaxTalk Fax Merge for Microsoft Word

Compatible with Microsoft Word 2010 (32 bit edition only), Microsoft Word 2007, Microsoft Word 2003 and Microsoft Word XP

Below you can view a video that shows the basics of sending a “fax blast” fax merge using Microsoft Word 2010 (32 bit edition) and FaxTalk Multiline Server (the operation is exactly the same with FaxTalk FaxCenter Pro or FaxTalk Messenger Pro, and Microsoft Word 2007)

You can order or download a trial version here http://www.getfaxing.com/faxtalk

Requirements for FaxTalk software:

• Compatible Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows 2008, Windows 2003, Windows XP, Windows 2000)
• Compatible Class 1, 1.0, 2, 2.0, 2.1 fax modem. (Internal or External models)
• Compatible Voice/Fax Modem for voice features of FaxTalk Messenger Pro or FaxTalk Multiline Server 
• Compatible version of Microsoft Word for the FaxTalk Fax Merge option. (Word XP/2003/2007/Word 2010 32 bit edition)
• Microsoft Word 2010 Starter Edition is not compatible. 64 bit version of Office 2010 is not compatible.

We’ve been testing an on-line fax service for a few months now, and have found OneSuite.com to be reliable for incoming and outgoing faxes.  Get yourself your own fax number, from a selection of 16 U.S. states, with unlimited incoming fax pages.  Your faxes are then transmitted to you instantly to your e-mail address in a multi-page PDF format. Get started for as low as $1.00 a month for unlimited incoming fax service! and you can get started within minutes with a minimum pre-paid amount of $10.00 US Dollars. Use the link below to sign up, and get an additional 5% sign up bonus and your 1st month free!  https://www.onesuite.com/A96909221/suitetreat

If you want to be able to send and receive faxes, the service is $2.95 a month and includes unlimited incoming faxes.  Sent faxes are charged at a per page rate , in USA/Canada the current rate is 2.5 cents per page. 

No setup fees, no hidden fees, you pay for what you use and the monthly fee of only $2.95 for sending and receiving, or $1.00 a month for receiving only.  Each subscription plan includes your own fax number, with unlimited fax receive.

Use SuiteTreat promotion code : A96909221 to receive the 5% Bonus plus your 1st month free.

• WinFax PRO 8.0x
• WinFax PRO 9.0x
• WinFax PRO 10.0x
• TalkWorks PRO 2.0x
• TalkWorks PRO 3.0
• WinFax Basic Edition (all versions)
• TalkWorks Basic Edition (all versions)
• Delrina Fax (French release, version 8.0x and above)

More details on this security flaw by clicking here

Symantec has released this official Security Bulletin for WinFax PRO, technical details can be found at Symantec’s Web site

If you use a Norton product for security, such as Norton 360 and Norton Internet Security 2009, this threat is detected with current definitions. Other security software from other vendors  may also detect this threat.

Regardless of the type of security you are using, We recommend setting the KillBit for this specific ActiveX control to always prevent it from activating. Setting this KillBit does NOT effect the normal operation of WinFax PRO. 

This is recommended if you have or do not have an installation of WinFax PRO.

If you have prior experience in setting a KillBit in the Windows registry, the CSLID for the WinFax PRO Viewer Control is {C05A1FBC-1413-11D1-B05F-00805F4945F6}

or, you can use our tool to do this for you, download our Free version of WinFax Tools.  Click “Fix Security DLL” button and the KillBit will be set automatically.

UPDATE: In a Windows XP update that was released February 9th, 2010, this security flaw was finally addressed. The actual update released by Microsoft is: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS10-008 – Critical Cumulative Security Update of ActiveX Kill Bits (978262).   If you have already downloaded this security update for Windows XP, then your system will already have the necessary ActiveX Kill bits set for the WinFax PRO ActiveX control.  You can still download WinFax Tools and confirm if the ActiveX kill bit was applied properly by this Windows XP Update. If your system has the Killbit set, the WinFax Tools program will indicate it has already been applied.

Situation: During the installation of WinFax, or when you reboot your computer, the WinFax PRO configuration wizard setup screen appears. When you are presented with the screen to enter your name, fax number and CSID, the screen disappears or the computer hangs/freezes. You cannot continue the setup, and you cannot start WinFax as the setup is not completed.

These steps apply to Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3, and all versions of WinFax PRO and TalkWorks PRO.

Start WinFax Tools (The full version of WinFax Tools is provided to all paid subscribers to the WinFax Forums. Click here for Premium Subscription Information)

1. Click on Install & Setup Tools button.
2. Click on Fix Start Up Errors button.
3. Click YES, WinFax will automatically close if active.
4. Click OK to any messages that appear, until completed.
5. Click Fix Entry Problem on the Main WinFax Tools screen.
6. Follow the on screen instructions that appear.
7. Reboot computer when done.
8. If WinFax setup appears, continue with setup. If WinFax Setup does not automatically start, start WinFax Tools, click on Install & Setup Tools button, click Start WTNSETUP button & Continue the WinFax installation.

1. Start WinFax Tools
2. Click on Install & Setup Tools button.
3. Click on Fix Start Up Errors button.
4. Click YES, WinFax will automatically close if active.
5. Click OK to any messages that appear.
6. You’re done.

 To purchase WinFax PRO, you’ll need to buy from a liquidator/distributor who has NOS (New Old Stock) on hand, or buy from a third-party 2nd hand.  You can find some sellers of WinFax (used and new) on eBay.   

http://www.getfaxing.com/winfaxebay

NOTE: Just because you’re buying an actual CD ROM doesn’t mean the software is legitimate. We’ve found some eBay sellers are knowing (or unknowingly) selling  illegal , copied software.  If the seller has more than one copy, and continues to sell the same product be suspect that the software is illegal.  If you suspect a seller has illegal software, ask them to send you a photo of the CD ROM they are selling. You can compare with our “Counterfeit CD” article we have on our site here.

NOTE: GetFaxing.com does not sell WinFax PRO software, The above link contains a listing of all current eBay listing with the search term “WinFax”.  We are not affiliated with any sellers (commerical, or private) of WinFax PRO software. 

There are also Google Ad links to WinFax software on our support forums, please see http://www.getfaxing.com/forums/

Any site which offers you an “instant” download of WinFax PRO is an illegal site not authorized by Symantec to sell & distribute WinFax.  For your security, do not buy and download any WinFax software from any of these  ”OEM download” sites you might find in some search engines such as Google. Not only are you purchasing pirated software (if you actually get anything at all), but you risk exposing your personal credit card details to criminals.  The only authorized download reseller of Symantec WinFax PRO prior to 2006 was Digital River. Digital River operated the Symantec Online Store.  They no longer offer this download, or provide on-line sales for Symantec.

Shown above is a typical internal PC fax modem and a DSL modem

At one time, fax/modems were a common hardware item that were bundled with many pre-built PCs.  In an effort for computer manufacturers to reduce prices, and because of the decline of dial-up Internet modem usage, fax/modems are not usually bundled with a computer and must be purchased seperately as an add-on. While dial-up internet still being used, it’s rapidly being replaced by high speed internet service, such as DSL.  The DSL modem that is usually supplied to you when you subscribe uses the high frequency (25 kHz – 1 mHz) of your telephone line for internet service.  The lower frequency (4 khz and below) is used for use for regular telephone calls (voice), fax and data calls.

So the question is, if I have a modem for my DSL connection, I should still be able to send a fax with WinFax, right?

The answer is no, with an exception.

During the 1980s, modem manufacturers started adding the ability to fax with their dial up modems. You could send faxes directly from your computer with fax software that could communicate directly with the fax modem.  Soon after, they added the ability to receive faxes. By the mid to late 1990s, most PCs came bundled with a fax/modem which could both send and receive faxes at speeds up to 14,400 bps. During this time, all the modem manufacturers came up with a few standards, we can call it a ”language”, for faxing via the PC.  These standards still exist today, and are available in different variations.  Class 1, Class 2, and Class 2.0.  If you have a modem that supports Class 1, Class 2 or Class 2.0 then it is a fax/modem. Some fax modem models will support only one class (usually Class 1) , or multiple classes (such as Class 1 and Class 2.0). 

To use WinFax PRO, you need a modem that has the ability to understand at least one of the fax classes.  DSL Modems are specifically designed to use the high frequency of the telephone line (25 kHz and up) and they are not designed to communicate to the computer using any of the fax classes. This is why you cannot send a fax via DSL using fax software on your PC.   A DSL Modem that supports a fax class does not exist. 

I’ve sent faxes before using my DSL Modem, how was this possible if you say DSL modems don’t support fax?

When you send or receive an “internet” fax (using a service like eFax), it isn’t actually being sent or received by your DSL modem. When you send a fax through the internet , your fax is routed to someone else (it’s uploaded to a internet fax service) which then handle the actual faxing.  In simple terms, its like you going to a nearby Kinko’s/Staples/Copy place, handing them the pages you want faxed, and paying them to feed the pages into a fax machine and dial the fax number for you. Of course the Internet Fax service does this process in the background and its completely automated, so it may appear your DSL modem is sending a fax but its only providing the means of getting your document to the Internet fax service.

Is there an Internet fax service for WinFax PRO?

Yes, this is the exception where you can use your DSL Modem to send internet faxes with WinFax PRO 10 (actually, all you need is a high-speed internet connection and WinFax PRO 10). A company called Concord Fax offers a plug-in for WinFax that adds Internet Fax service for WinFax PRO. If your interested in pricing or other details, contact Concord Fax. They are no longer actively promoting this service anymore, but I believe it still active for current WinFax users.

http://www.concordfax.com/support/faqs/winfaxprofaq.aspx

Conclusion

So, you have a few choices with WinFax PRO faxing.

Either you purchase a fax/modem that has Class 1, Class 2 or Class 2.0 capability (I’ll post information about choosing a fax modem in a future blog entry), or, use the Concord Fax plug-in to send faxes using WinFax PRO. 

Using WinFax PRO with a fax/modem provides you the ability to have full control of the faxes you send or receive, you eliminate the costs of a  monthly fax service and you can benefit from a flat rate or long distance savings plan from your telephone company. It also provides an added security that only you and recipient will see the fax you are sending/receiving.

If you do add a fax/modem to your PC (internal, or external), ensure you add the appropriate DSL filter to it. These devices filter out everything above 4 kHz frequency since you do not want the 25kHz-1Mhz frequency being heard by the fax modem. This would cause faxes to fail. A filter should be installed on every telephone, fax/modem, telephone answering device, or any other telephone device that uses the low frequency band (4 kHz and below). Some installations of DSL may not require the use of filters (Dry-loop DSL/Naked DSL). Check with your Internet provider if filters are required, if so, they can provide them for you.

DSL Modem Setup

Shown above is how a typical desktop phone should be connected with the appropriate DSL Filter supplied by your Internet Service provider. An internal or external fax/modem (not shown here) should be configured in the same method.

If you decide you don’t want to install a fax/modem to use WinFax PRO, the only way to send a fax is subscribing to a third-party fax service.  Discard WinFax and use the Web interface the fax service provides, or the software they provide you. There are dozens of services available, some are better than others and some also provide toll-free numbers for you to receive incoming faxes.  Some are pay-per-use, and some are monthly fees based on a limited amount of fax pages you send or receive. You would have to evaluate how many faxes you expect to send and receive to determine if this is of value to you.

I recently picked up a Magicjack, you might have seen the commercials on television, its a USB device that plugs into your computer that allows you to plug a telephone into it, giving you a dial tone so you can make telephone calls using a regular corded or cordless telephone. The difference is the telephone call is routed via your computer to the Internet, using the Magicjack service.

The big advantage to the Magicjack service is its price, and the ability to hook up almost any type of household telephone. The Magicjack retails for $39.99 and includes 1 year of US & Canada unlimited incoming and outgoing calls.  They also claim that service after 1 year is only $19.99.   Yes, you also get an incoming telephone number, where you can pick from dozens of area codes across the United States (Canadian area codes are not yet available).

My first test was with voice calls on a Notebook (Core 2 Duo, T5200, 1.6Ghz, 2GB RAM) with Microsoft Vista SP1.  The installation was completely plug & play, I simply inserted the MagicJack into a free USB port and it turned on and begin downloading the installation program for Vista.  Within a few minutes, the software was installed successfully. I registered on-line and selected my incoming telephone number. A lot easier than I expected it to be.  I plugged in a regular corded telephone, picked it up, and got a dial tone!  I dialed a number, and sure enough it worked.  My first voice call quality was comparable to a regular land-based telephone line, if there was a difference I couldn’t really tell.   I tested incoming by dialing my new Magicjack number. The telephone rang, and the Caller ID appeared on the telephone display. So far, so good.

My next test was on an older Pentium III, 450Mhz, 768MB PC running Windows XP Service Pack 3.  I use this PC for my Skype calls as well, so I expected some conflict or performance problem.  I plugged the Magicjack into my USB Hub, and sure enough, the Blue LED lit and it began installing the software.  Within minutes it was configured and ready to go.  I didn’t have to repeat any of the registration process, since my phone number was already configured.  Surprised, outgoing calls seemed to work perfectly.

I’ve been using MagicJack now for voice calls for about 2 months and in the most part, it works as advertised. You will encounter quality issues if your Internet connection slows down. I tried the service on a 1MB down/768b up ”Lite” DSL service, and for the most part, voice quality was reasonable. In some calls, the person would complain they couldn’t hear me properly but I could hear them fine.  On a faster 4MB down/1MB up Internet DSL service, overall the call quality was good but I would have problems with some calls due to bandwidth issues.  Usually the problem was with the caller hearing me.

Faxing using MagicJack with WinFax PRO

I checked with the people at MagicJack directly and they claim that faxing isn’t supported. I believed them, since I know that a fax call isn’t as forgiving as a voice call if there is any drop in quality. I thought I would try it anyway, so I unplugged the fax modem telephone line and plugged it directly into the Magicjack.  I started up WinFax PRO and send a fax as I normally would on the regular telephone line, sure enough it dialed andstarted to send a fax.  I tried a simple 1 page WinFax quick cover page, it worked.  I then tried faxing a multiple page fax.  It failed.  I then tried a 1 page fax again, and it failed.  I started adjusting the settings in WinFax.  I turned off High Speed Compression (2D), ECM for sending and ECM for receiving.  I adjusted the Maximum Transmission speed to 4800 bps or 2400 bps.  This did seem to improve the success rate, but it was still giving me problems with some faxes.  After trying several different combinations, I came to the conclusion that faxing may or may not work using the MagicJack.  Send 10 faxes, if your lucky, maybe 50% may go through if they are short/1 page faxes.  Once you increase the number of pages, or the amount of data on each page, you risk a greater chance of a failure. Results probably will vary depending on the call quality and your PC’s performance.  I did not try incoming faxes, but I would expect similar results. If anyone has had better success please post your comments!

Some things I don’t like about the MagicJack

• If you call a number that is BUSY, you don’t get a busy signal.  You get silence followed by a dial tone.
• There is no uninstall for the MagicJack software.  When you plug it in, it will automatically install device drivers. However, the good news is that MagicJack will only start with Windows if the actual device is plugged in.  If you do remove the MagicJack from the USB port, the MagicJack software does not start (but the device drivers are still installed).
• There is no normal method to close the MagicJack software while it is active.  I haven’t really had any reason to do this, but in some cases you may only want to have MagicJack active when you want to use it, not all the time. (Yes, you can close it using End Task from the Task Manager)
• The MagicJack software window opens when you use it. (You can’t keep it minimized and out of the way)

Overall opinion of MagicJack

I like it, but wouldn’t use it as a replacement to my regular land-line considering you need a computer on 24/7, plus a working (fast) Internet connection 24/7.   Its great for a 2nd line, or just for making long distance calls to friends and family.  It is an excellent value at $39.99 for the initial cost, and $19.99 for the additional years of service.  Not recommended for faxing with WinFax or any other fax software, and definitely not for data usage (such as credit card authorizations, modems, data transmission etc.)

The following information will help you determine the version of WinFax PRO you have installed or have on a CD/install image.

To determine which version of WinFax PRO 10 you are using if you already have WinFax PRO installed:

1. Open the WinFax Message Manager Application
2. Click Help.
3. Click About Message Manager. The “About WinFax Pro” box appears.
4. Click the General tab. The version is at the top on that tab.

Here are all the possible revisions of WinFax PRO 10 that were released by Symantec (The following information applies to North American English releases of WinFax PRO. International English releases and other languages may differ. In France, WinFax PRO was released as Delrina Fax Pro.)

WinFax PRO 10.0 – released February 2000, prior to the official release of Windows XP, but will install with Windows XP. Problems with Office 2003.

If your CD or software box looks like the one above, you have 10.0 or in some rare cases a 10.01 installation CD.  You can also determine version information by checking the dates of the files stored on the CD in the WinFax folder. The files located in the WinFax folder will have February 2000 and earlier dates.  A 10.01 version may have November – December 2000 or January 2001 dates.

WinFax PRO 10.01 – A patch file for 10.0 that was also released for a limited time as a CD install.  Fixed a few bugs, and added Microsoft Windows Me Certification. The only major change was for email forwarding from a self-extracting fax viewer in .exe format to a multipage fax .fxm format. Increases of viruses being sent as .exe attachments caused many to block the sending of .exe files, so Symantec was forced to change the file format to the native .fxm file.  A mini-viewer was made available for free to allow viewing of fxm, fxs, and fxr type WinFax files for those who did not have WinFax installed. An 10.01 update file exists, but it is no longer available via Symantec’s LiveUpdate.  This version was released in late December 2000, early January 2001.

WinFax PRO 10.02 – Officially released as a Windows XP compatible version. Symantec added code in the setup process to detect the installation under Windows XP, and if detected, it installed a new version of the WinFax Controller. This was modified to support an additional WinFax application called “wfxswtch.exe”. This application handled the “Fast user switching” option in Windows XP and it’s always required with Windows XP installs.  There are problems with Office 2003 integration, problems with security settings in Word Macros, a Software Development Kit (SDK) problem under Windows XP that causes application link failures with third-party software (Merge faxing with Microsoft Word, ACT! etc.).  There is No Symantec LiveUpdate, or update patch file to this version.  This version was released Fall 2001.

WinFax PRO 10.03 – released to fix the 10.02 SDK problem with Windows XP and some minor fixes that were related to macros and Concord Internet Fax.  There is no Symantec LiveUpdate, or update patch to this version. Symantec offered this update at no charge to those who contacted support and had problems encountered with version 10.02. They no longer offer this upgrade. This version was released late 2002, early 2003.

If your CD looks like the one above, you may have a version 10.02 or 10.03 installation CD.  You can also determine version information by checking the dates of the files stored on the CD in the WinFax folder.  September 2001 and earlier dates on the CD indicate a 10.02 version. November 2002 and earlier dates indicate a 10.03 version. An official 10.04 version CD does not exist.

WinFax PRO 10.04 (released as a file update from version 10.03 only, the update only fixes some of the security settings in Windows XP for use with Fax Sharing)  Not recommended as an update unless you are using Fax Sharing. If you do not use Fax Sharing, do not update, and do not update from any other version except 10.03 (English). There is No LiveUpdate to this version, a patch file  is still available for download from Symantec’s Web site. This update file was released sometime in 2005 in response to the release of Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.

NOTE :   10.04 update was not released on a CD ROM as a full installation or as a patch file. If your version of WinFax includes a copy of a 10.04 updater on the same CD ROM, beware, you are not in possession of an original Symantec software CD.

If you’ve recently upgraded to Microsoft Vista, or purchased a PC with Vista pre-installed and want to use WinFax, you’re out of luck.  WinFax PRO will install under Microsoft Vista if you bypass the install warning message about compatibility, but it will not operate properly. The WinFax printer drivers will not install in Vista (it’s not compatible with the operating system due to Vista’s blocking of Kernel Mode printer drivers). The printer driver is the heart of WinFax, without it, you can’t send (“print”) faxes from your Windows applications, or can you attach documents. There are also several other incompatibilities that I have encountered, such as Fax Sharing (probably due to IPv6), and some application crashes/shutdowns when clicking on fields that happen to require number (digit) entry (usually these are within phonebooks, IP address, area codes, etc.). This is a known problem to occur after upgrading to Internet Explorer 7 or Service Pack 2 or 3 under Windows XP, this issue has been identified and resolved. I have not found any solution for this under Microsoft Vista.