Incorrect Error Message Appears When User Without Permission Attempts to Fax to SBS

ID: Q216501

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft BackOffice Small Business Server versions 4.0, 4.0a, 4.5

SYMPTOMS

When a user without permission to fax something attempts to print to an Small Business Server (SBS) fax queue from a Windows 95 or Windows 98 SBS client, the following error message will appear:

There was an error writing to \\Server\Fax for printer (FAX on Server):
There was a problem printing to the printer due to an unknown system error.
Restart Windows, and then try printing again.
This printer will be set to work offline.
To save your print job in the local printer queue, click OK.

Windows NT Workstation computers will not get this error message, but the fax job will not be sent to the server.

CAUSE

The error message on Windows 95 or Windows 98 is generated by the print spooler. It is a generic message that indicates some type of unknown system error.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, if the user needs to use the fax server, use the SBS console to give the user permission to use the fax printer.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

Additional query words: smallbiz

Keywords : kberrmsg kbprint
Version : winnt:4.0,4.0a,4.5
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbbug