Certainly. You need to have a fax modem to do it though as well as a fax software program. There are aftermarket programs such as Winfax but I just use the MS Windows fax console. You have to run the Windows fax setup wizard to configure it and be connected to a regular phone line. Note: the fax software is an option when Windows is installed. You might not have it but it can easily be added without having to completely reinstall Windows. Just reinsert your original Windows CD and select the applications you want to add.
I had an issue with mine not being able to properly send faxes at first. It would dial out and attempt to communicate with the fax device at the other end but never actually start sending anything. After several days of frustration I downloaded an updated driver for my USR fax modem and that cured the problem.
But from what I can tell, yes, I do have the fax console. Does this also mean that I have the faxing option software? If so, how do I go about RECEIVING A FAX? That's all I really want to do.
I figured that the computer 'actually received it and that the software would enable me to both receive it via computer and then print it out on my HP Deskjet 3650. Is this possbile?
I understand that in order to send a fax, that I would need either an actual fax machine or a scanner in order to get the documents I want to fax out into the computer so that it could fax it for me.
So I guess along with all the questions I've already asked, the next one would be is would I just use the home telephone number that my DSL line is on to receive a fax? And would I hear it ringing as it was trying to send the fax? If so, how would I know that it's trying to send a fax without answering it and being greeted by that (*^*&%&*(^ fax tone?
Well, fair's fair. So I'll send this before you run for your life! hahaha
Yes, you can both send and receive faxes if you have the fax modem (connected to a phone line) and have the Windows Fax installed (if installed, it shows as a fax icon in Control panel, printers and faxes, if not, you can install it from your XP CD, using add/remove programs, add /remove windows components).
To use the software, if you plan to use fax a lot, I suggest that you make a shortcut to the fax console on your desk top. To do that, drag the fax icon in control panel/printers and faxes to the desktop to create the shortcut. Otherwise, you can open the fax console by double clicking on that icon. You can configure the fax software from the fax console, tools menu, configure fax, follow the wizard and fill in or check boxes appropriately. For receiving, you can set it to pick up the call automatically after a specified number of rings, or manually. If you set it manually, when the ring tone sounds you get a notification asking if you want to receive the fax. To do so, open the fax console, file menu, receive fax now. You can also keep the fax monitor open, it has a button for answer now for quick response [fax console, tools, fax monitor].
You are right that there is no way to know whether an incoming call is a fax or a voice call without first picking it up on a phone, which partially defeats the object (though I think that if you are quick enough, it should be possible to open the fax console and click file menu, receive a fax now, of course don't cut the call off by putting the phone down). That's why I only use the receive fax on special occasions, after arranging by voice phone that someone will send me a fax in the next few minutes.
The phone number people should use to send you a fax is that for the telephone line your fax modem is connected to. If you just have the one phone line into your home, then that is your normal voice telephone number. Be sure to use appropriate filters for phones and fax modem if your DSL broadband is on the same line (presumably you already have the filters on the phones, consider the fax modem as just another telephone extension).
You can print received faxes or view them on screen from the fax console. Received faxes are in the inbox. Right click on one and click print. The faxes are .tif images, not text files.
I do use it regularly to send faxes, either just typing a message in the cover page created by the fax wizard, or for sending a file with the cover page. You can send a file as a fax from any app that has a print option: open the file you want to fax, then File menu, print, and select the fax as the 'printer' in the printers dropdown box, click print or OK; this opens the fax wizard where you enter recipient info and create the cover page. It also allows you to preview the fax before you send it. You can also select when the fax will be sent. When you send a fax, you hear it dialling the number (unless you turned of the option of sound in your fax modem) and the fax monitor opens, showing progress.
As you say, if the document you want to fax is in paper form, you would need to scan it in first if you want to use the fax modem in the PC. If you use a separate fax machine, then you don't need to use the PC at all, obviously.
It is easier to use than to describe, I suggest you just explore the software; there is also a help file.
There are third party fax/phone apps that give more options (for example sending several files in a single fax), but I don't use the fax enough to have investigated those. Googling should bring some up.
Message Edited by JRosenfeld on 10-05-2005 06:19 PM
About 15 years ago I had a little device that automatically routed incoming calls to either my telephone/answering machine or fax modem. I plugged the main incoming telephone line into this small box and it had jacks going out for my fax modem, etc.
When a call came in the device would "answer" it immediately and determine from the tone or lack of one whether it was a voice or data transmission and route it accordingly. If it was a voice call the device would send a sound to the person calling like it was still ringing the phone number as it analyzed the type of call.
It was a pretty cool gadget and I imagine it would save someone from having to get a dedicated fax line if they wanted to be able to receive faxes 24/7. I'm sure such devices are still available.
Message Edited by RoadiJeff on 10-05-2005 05:19 PM
About 15 years ago I had a little device that automatically routed incoming calls to either my telephone/answering machine or fax modem. I plugged the main incoming telephone line into this small box and it had jacks going out for my fax modem, etc.
When a call came in the device would "answer" it immediately and determine from the tone or lack of one whether it was a voice or data transmission and route it accordingly. If it was a voice call the device would send a sound to the person calling like it was still ringing the phone number as it analyzed the type of call.
It was a pretty cool gadget and I imagine it would save someone from having to get a dedicated fax line if they wanted to be able to receive faxes 24/7. I'm sure such devices are still available.
PC Software (not the free MS Fax stuff) interprets the call and decides what it is.
Also, printers with fax capability listen on the line and defer to answering machines if it's a call.
Yes, I had one of those too, when I had a separate fax machine, but it stopped functioning properly at some time and the manufacturer (in Scotland as I recall) seemed to have gone out of business (at least I could not trace them), so I chucked it. Never had a chance to try it with the faxmodem in the PC. I did try, about a year ago, to google for such a device but did not find anything.
It would be much appreciated if you could suggest what fax software packages do this. The ones I've looked at when googling did not state that they could do that, indeed if mentioned at all, most state that they don't.
dnalnn
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October 3rd, 2005 18:00
I, too, am having problems. My computer is new and I am just now setting it up, so maybe I'm just being dense.
Can I receive/send faxes without a fax machine?
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks.
RoadiJeff
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October 3rd, 2005 22:00
JRosenfeld
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October 4th, 2005 18:00
dnalnn
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October 5th, 2005 14:00
Thanks for the feedback.
But from what I can tell, yes, I do have the fax console. Does this also mean that I have the faxing option software? If so, how do I go about RECEIVING A FAX? That's all I really want to do.
I figured that the computer 'actually received it and that the software would enable me to both receive it via computer and then print it out on my HP Deskjet 3650. Is this possbile?
I understand that in order to send a fax, that I would need either an actual fax machine or a scanner in order to get the documents I want to fax out into the computer so that it could fax it for me.
So I guess along with all the questions I've already asked, the next one would be is would I just use the home telephone number that my DSL line is on to receive a fax? And would I hear it ringing as it was trying to send the fax? If so, how would I know that it's trying to send a fax without answering it and being greeted by that (*^*&%&*(^ fax tone?
Well, fair's fair. So I'll send this before you run for your life! hahaha
JRosenfeld
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October 5th, 2005 16:00
Message Edited by JRosenfeld on 10-05-2005 06:19 PM
RoadiJeff
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October 5th, 2005 21:00
About 15 years ago I had a little device that automatically routed incoming calls to either my telephone/answering machine or fax modem. I plugged the main incoming telephone line into this small box and it had jacks going out for my fax modem, etc.
When a call came in the device would "answer" it immediately and determine from the tone or lack of one whether it was a voice or data transmission and route it accordingly. If it was a voice call the device would send a sound to the person calling like it was still ringing the phone number as it analyzed the type of call.
It was a pretty cool gadget and I imagine it would save someone from having to get a dedicated fax line if they wanted to be able to receive faxes 24/7. I'm sure such devices are still available.
Message Edited by RoadiJeff on 10-05-2005 05:19 PM
rickmktg
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October 5th, 2005 22:00
JRosenfeld
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October 5th, 2005 22:00
JRosenfeld
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October 7th, 2005 21:00
Rick,
It would be much appreciated if you could suggest what fax software packages do this. The ones I've looked at when googling did not state that they could do that, indeed if mentioned at all, most state that they don't.