Cannot import a picture into a container field

[tmanning]

When attemping to import a picture into a container field (or even directly to a layout), I get the following error message:

"pic.gif could not be imported. The required filter could not be located or is installed incorrectly."

I can copy the image in a graphic program but I cannot get the image in there directly. Needless to say, this approach is causing my databases to be much bigger than they need to be.

Any ideas on what could be causing this error?