FAX will NOT install

WinXP Pro, SP1, all available updates.

Fax Service was installed many moons ago and was working, not
used very often. Tried to use it today with no joy.

Fax window would open but no options were available and
hourglass pointer would sit there as long as I would let it,
even over lunch. Checked Services and indicated FAX service
was "stopping" tried restarting with no luck.

I uninstalled FAX and got the success and reboot message.
I rebooted, turned off antivirus and firewall etc.

I reinstalled FAX with no joy. Install put a FAX folder on the
program menu but it is empty.

I checked the services and FAX is there listed as "stopping"
and "disabled". I try to change the status and it gives me a
message that it is marked for deletion.

I uninstalled it again with no joy. Same situation continues.
I can do no more.

Any way to get past this?

Thanks




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-- Ever stop to think,
and forget to start again? --