I have a customer with a Windows 2003 SBS Server. About 2 weeks ago their fax service beganerroring within 2 to 3 seconds of being started. It is giving an error regardingan issue with fxstiff.dll. I ran a few udates that they had not applied as of yet, uninstalled thefax server components within add/remove programs - windows components, and also tried using a new modem to ensure the modem was not the issue. I rebooted after each change but it has made no difference. When I attempt to start the fax service, it juststops with 2 to 3 seconds. The only thing showing in the event log is the issue with fxstiff.dll. The odd part is that there are no faxes in queue nor are they sending a fax to cause this issue. Any thoughts would be great appreciated.

Hi, It looks the problem with either incorrect version of fxstiff.dll or this component and its registration got currupted. Have you tried re-register this component? If yes, have you tried some another copy of fxstiff.dll to get it done?There is actually problem with the resolution or format of the tiff file used during fax send.I found one of the workaround for similar problem if above steps wont help you much:"Ifyou replaced the broken tiff the MS fax serice created with a "working" tiff file from another fax the MS service created, things ran fine. you can tryreducing the resolution of the fileyou aresending in from 300 to 275 dpi. I wouldn't call this a solution but it will do as a work around but can try this if nothing is working"But most probable reason is problem with component or one of its dependency.Hope this helps you.Regards,TilakIT Consultant

I did try re-registering and get an error of c:\windows\system32\fxstiff.dll was loaded, but the dllRegisterServer entry point was not found.This file cannot be registered. I also tried replcaing the file and still no difference. The odd part is that it crashes immediately upon starting the fax service. I do not even get the chance to try and send a fax or do anything. I tried uninstalling the fax service from Add/Remove Programs - Windows COmponents and then installign it again and no change. Is just odd how everything was fine and then with no changes, updates, nothing - it suddenly started having this issue. I do know there are no viruses, spam, etc....

Hi Rodneym33, Please check if applying the hotfix can be helpful on this issue. Update is available for the Windows Small Business Server 2003 Client Setup feature to deploy Windows XP Service Pack 2 to Windows XP Professional-based clientshttp://support.microsoft.com/?id=884032 Hope it helps.David Shen - MSFT