OL97: Unable to Fax When Using Offline Folders (177443)

SYMPTOMS

When you use Microsoft Outlook 97 with an Offline Store (sometimes called the OST or Offline Folders file), and you are offline, fax messages are not sent immediately. The faxes are placed in the Outbox and will be sent when you connect to the Microsoft Exchange Server.

MORE INFORMATION

When working offline, Outlook places all outbound messages and faxes into the Outbox. They will remain there until you log onto the Microsoft Exchange Server.

To log on, either check for new mail (press F5) or synchronize your mail folders. Once you have connected, Outlook downloads your e-mail from the server to your Inbox and then uploads e-mail from your Outbox to the server. After the e-mail has been uploaded and downloaded, Outlook closes the connection to the mail server, and then opens up a fax connection. Outlook disconnects and then reconnects for each fax message in your Outbox, until it sends all of them.

For more information on configuring and using Offline Folders see the Microsoft Knowledge base articles listed below:

161725 OL97: What Are Offline Folders and How Do You Use Them?

162046 OL97: Remote Mail, Offline Folders, and Working Offline

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Check for New Mail

On the Tools menu, click "Check for new mail" or press F5.

Method 2: Synchronize Your Mail Folders

On the Tools menu, point to Synchronize and then click All Folders. In each of the above cases, it is helpful to list the Fax Transport first in the delivery order. To process fax messages first, follow these steps:

On the Tools menu, click Services and then click the Delivery tab.
In "Recipient Addresses are processed by these information services in the following order" click to select the Fax Transport service and then click the upward pointing arrow to move the service to the top of the list.
Click OK and then on the File menu click Exit and Log Off. Restart Outlook for the changes to take effect.