Modem/Faxing

Question

I also live in the boonies and have dial-up.  I have a 56K data/fax/voice(telephony) modem and I can send/receive faxes just fine.  I've been customizing a Dell 4700 for over a week now (slow to learn new computer 'stuff') and I eventually plan to move.  High speed cable will be available for me.  I don't know the differences between Cable/DSL/Broadband.  At some point SBC/Yahoo will be available where I'm moving to.  I can get the 4700 with a Data/Fax/Telephony modem.  I am not interested in a second phone line (number)  just for faxes.   Can you please tell me if I have any options with the new Dell 4700 I plan to purchase in order to send/receive faxes with any kind of high speed internet access connection?  I did read up to 4 pages of posts.  Please answer in what I call 'kindergarten language'.  I've learned quite a bit from really good answers you give to others!  Thank you.

JanLarry · Answer

I thank you very much, Steve.

JanLarry · Answer

I think I just posted incorrectly.  If not, I apologize for a 'double'.  What I forgot to ask is can I fax with my current dial-up with the 4700 I'm going to purchase?  My move won't take place until Fall of this year.

JanLarry · Answer

Steve................Whoops.............in the meantime, how do I fax when I purchase the 4700 using my current dial-up connection?  My move won't take place until Fall of this year.

JanLarry · Answer

If I can 'just connect the phone line directly to the fax modem how do I do that?  Isn't the fax modem internal?

volcano11 · Answer

FAX is a telephone protocol and requires a FAX machine connected to a telephone line or FAX/Modem connected to a telephone line.  Although DSL broadband internet also connects through a telephone line, it is a completely different technology and you cannot send FAXes through the internet.  Although, there are such things as internet FAX services, they work by sending a file to a site on the internet and the internet site then sends a real FAX to a FAX machine through the telephone.  These internet FAX services all charge fees for the service and they do not offer the same convience as dedicated FAX machine or a FAX Modem.  If you get DSL broadband service and still need to use the regular FAX on your FAX Modem, you will need a line splitter to split your telephone line so that one line goes to the FAX Modem and the other to the DSL modem.  You will also need a filter on the line going to the FAX Modem to prevent interference from the DSL internet connection.  If you get cable broadband internet service, the cable from your cable TV provider will split and go to the cable modem.  You can then just connect the phone line directly to the FAX modem.  Note that cable and DSL are both broadband internet services.    Steve

volcano11 · Answer

There will be two phone jacks on the back of the compter for the FAX Modem. One will be for the line coming from the wall to the computer (FAX Modem) and the other will be for a line from the computer to your telephone. Thus you will be able to use the telephone when the modem or FAX is not in use.

Steve

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Modem/Faxing

Was this post helpful?