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Removing the Brooktrout Dependency from the FaxMaker Fax Server Service

Author: Stephen White Updated

Overview

When FaxMaker is installed, and the Brooktrout drivers are installed, a dependency is set as well. This means that if the Brooktrout service is not running or started, then the GFI FaxMaker Fax Server service will not be able to start.

This would be most commonly used when the Brooktrout device is no longer being used, and another device is now in use. The error most often seen with this is shown in the screenshot below.

Windows could not start the GFI FaxMaker Fax Server service on Local Computer.

Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start.

mceclip0.png

This article provides the steps for confirming that the Brooktrout dependency is in place and explains how you can remove it from the FaxMaker Fax Server service from Registry Editor.

ATTENTION! This article contains steps that instruct you how to make changes in Registry Editor. Thus, please proceed with caution.

Requirements

You will require access to the server's registry, and the server requires a reboot.

Process

  1. First, verify that the dependency exists:

    1. Go to Start > Run and type services.msc

    2. Right-click the GFI FaxMaker Fax Server service and select Properties.

    3. Select the Dependencies tab.

      In the first box, you should see Brooktrout Boston Host Service as seen in the screenshot below:

      mceclip3.png 

  2. Now that we have verified that the dependency exists, open the Windows Registry Editor:
    1. Right-click on the Start button > Run.

    2. Type regedit and click OK.

      mceclip2.png

  1. IMPORTANT: Before proceeding with the following steps, please take a backup of the system registry and proceed with these steps with caution. Refer to the Microsoft documentation for the procedure: How to back up and restore the registry in Windows.

  1. Now that the registry has been opened, expand the following path in Registry Editor:

    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet as seen in the screenshot below:

mceclip4.png

    1. Scroll down to the fmserver listing and select it.

      • You will note that the keys for this service are on the right pane.
      • The one we will deal with is the Multi-String key called DependOnService.
      • You can double-click this key or right-click and select Modify.
      • The screenshot below shows the key once opened as well as the Properties of the Brooktrout Boston Host Service and the service name highlighted: bostservice


        mceclip1.png

      1. In the Edit Multi-String box, highlight bostservice under Value data and delete it.

      2. Select OK.

        NOTE:         These steps were done on the fmserver under CurrentControlSet. They will need to be repeated for ControlSet001 and ControlSet002 which can be seen in the initial registry screenshot.
  1. Once completed for CurrentControlSet, ControlSet001 and ControlSet002, reboot the server.

 

Confirmation

After the server is rebooted, the GFI FaxMaker Fax Server service will start, and we should no longer see the Brooktrout Boston Host Service on the Dependencies tab of the GFI FaxMaker Fax Server service.